Paint the town … green

Published 10:44 pm Monday, March 11, 2013

Krystal White served up green beer at Baron’s Pub during last year's Shamrock Stroll.

Krystal White served up green beer at Baron’s Pub during last year’s Shamrock Stroll.

The hospitable and generous spirit of the Irish will descend on Suffolk this Saturday for the second annual Shamrock Stroll.

Sponsored by the Downtown Suffolk Hospitality Association, the event involves 15 business partners and includes live entertainment, refreshments, discounts and deals, as well as Irish food and beverages.

Suffolk’s tourism development manager, Theresa Earles, said it’s a great opportunity to take a leisurely walk around downtown — especially with the weather improving.

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“There will be special discounts for people wearing green,” she said.

“Whether it’s a long winter and people are tired of being cooped up in their houses, they’re looking forward to getting out and seeing what there is to see and enjoying the weather.”

Participating businesses include Amici’s Italian Restaurant & Pizza Café, Baron’s Pub, C3 Vino, C-Fit Studio, Embroidery Etc., Harper’s Table, Hilton Garden Inn Suffolk Riverfront, Jester’s Gallery Shop, Mosaic by Holland’s, Plaid Turnip, Shooting Star Gallery, Suffolk Art Gallery, Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, Suffolk Visitor Center &

Gift Shop and The Second Floor.

The event began last year, when “downtown businesses wanted to encourage people to come and shop and play,” Earles said.

She encouraged folks to snap a few photos with the Mr. Peanut statue at each location, which can then be uploaded to the hospitality association’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/DowntownSuffolk, for the chance to win a Visit Suffolk Prize Pack.

The prize pack includes things like souvenirs and gift certificates for participating businesses, Earles said.

Owing to the fact that Restaurant Week begins in Suffolk on the same day, visitors to the Shamrock Stroll will be as lucky as the Irish.

Thirteen featured eateries throughout the city will offer three-course, fixed-price menus at the deluxe or premier levels.

Deluxe meals are $10 for lunch or $20 for dinner, while premier meals are $15 for lunch or $30 for dinner. No coupons, vouchers or tickets are needed to take advantage of the offers — simply order from the special Restaurant Week menu offered at each location.

Participating eateries are Al Forno Pizzeria, Amici’s Italian Restaurant and Pizza Café, The Baron’s Pub, Cedar Point Country Club, Constant’s Wharf Grill (inside the Hilton Garden Inn Suffolk Riverfront), George’s Steakhouse, Great American Grill (inside the Hilton Garden Inn Harbour View), Harper’s Table, Mosaic by Holland’s, Nana Sushi, The Plaid Turnip, River Stone Chophouse and Vintage Tavern.

Menus and hours of operation can be found at www.Suffolk-Fun.com/RestaurantWeek.

Two other events are planned for Saturday: a Great Dismal Swamp tour, which is already sold out, and a history bus tour.

Tickets, $5 for adults or $3 for seniors, were still available for the 90-minute history tour as of Monday. Folks are advised to arrive 15 minutes early for the tour, which departs from the visitor center, on the corner of North Main Street and East Constance Road, at 2 p.m.

For more information or to book tickets, call the visitor center at 514-4130.