It is almost that time again, Sacramento State. That special day when everyone is supposed to love corned beef and cabbage and soda bread, but just ends up drinking too much Guinness instead.

Like other heritage holidays, St. Patrick’s Day has devolved into little more than an excuse for most people to indulge in vast quantities of alcohol. While some remain committed to honoring the contributions of Irish-Americans to society, most see it as a drinking holiday, and a chance to consume controversially named drinks like the “Irish Car Bomb.”

Chris Brown is the president of Sacramento’s Shamrock Club, an organization dedicated to preserving Irish art, language and music in the region. He said while it is a day for people to “kick their heels up,” his group wants to make sure St. Patrick’s Day maintains a little of its original purpose.

“One of the missions of the Shamrock Club is to have St. Patrick’s Day be more than just the day before the worst hangover of (peoples’) lives,” Brown said.

Sac State anthropology professor Liam Murphy said the day is an important part of the history of the Irish working class in America. He explained that the American Irish, like many other historically marginalized groups, have long been involved in labor movements.

“Holidays like St. Patrick’s Day provide a good opportunity for Irish labor of all kinds to unite under a common banner,” Murphy said. “You often see such groups marching in (St. Patrick’s Day) parades.”

While some Irish heritage groups, especially those representing Northern Ireland, have expressed anger at use of the phrase “car bomb” to describe a popular drink, Brown said this does not bother him. The moniker is derived from the period of Irish history known as “the troubles,” when the Emerald Isle was torn apart by sectarian violence. The car bomb was often used in terrorist attacks during this time.

Brown said it is important that people not lose their sense of humor regarding this name, and reminded everyone not to take things so seriously.

“There is a drink called a “hurricane,'” he said. “So should everyone in New Orleans be upset?”

Murphy disagreed with this analogy. He said using “car bomb” would be like naming a drink the “Iraqi Suicide Bomber,” and pointed out the difference between a natural disaster and a “man-made antihuman atrocity.”

Brown helped promote Irish culture by sponsoring Saturday’s parade in Old Sacramento. He described the parade as a “family-friendly event” which featured dancers and performers in traditional Irish costume, as well as bagpipers and school bands. The route took the procession past numerous stops where Irish food and drink were served, and children were welcome at all of them.

The biggest festivities are reserved for the day itself. De Vere’s Irish Pub will be hosting its usual St. Patrick’s Day block party, which begins at 8 a.m. at the pub. De Vere’s banquet coordinator Kimberlee Greenwood said the sidewalks will be blocked off at 11 a.m., when an outdoor kitchen will serve corned beef and cabbage.

De Vere’s will also team up with the Shamrock Club to put on their first Party in the Park. Greenwood said this will feature lots of Irish music and dance, as well as a U2 tribute band. She said proceeds from this event will go to Maryhouse, an offshoot of Loaves & Fishes providing assistance to homeless women and children.

Greenwood emphatically denied the presence of green beer at the party. She said this is usually just light beer colored with green food coloring, which she thinks is gross.

Noah Whitmarsh, manager at Brew It Up!, said it will feature green beer because they do it right. While a lot of places use food coloring, he explained, they mix lighter beers with blue Curacao, a liqueur that blends with the yellowish beer to create a green color.

Brew It Up! will open early and will feature live music, an outdoor beer garden and no cover charge.

Whether Irish or not, Sacramentans will no doubt find a way to whet their whistles this St. Patrick’s Day. Between swigs of stout and shots of Jameson, just try to take a second to appreciate Irish heritage and contributions to American culture.

Cheers.

Alex Grotewohl can be reached at [email protected]