Great Day for the Irish in Virginia City

The bagpipes are ready for Sunday's parade. The corned beef will be baked the traditional way. Miss Nevada is coming, and there will be a great celebration for the Irish this weekend in Virginia City.

The event starts about 7 p.m. Friday night at the Red Dog Saloon, where Cormack & the Gas Men will be performing Irish tunes.

Chamber of Commerce member Lesle Stevens said the group is from Ireland and will offer a little bit of everything, from the traditional to the contemporary. They will also perform at Saturday's dinner-dance at the Old Depot and at Sunday's parade.

"They performed here two years ago and it was standing room only," Stevens said. "They're excellent."

Saturday night's corned beef and cabbage dinner is usually reserved for those in the parade, but this year's festivities, set for the Old (Sun Mountain) Depot on E Street and Sutton, is open to the public.

The bar opens at 5 p.m., dinner starts at 5:30 p.m. and dancing at 7 p.m.

Richard and Mary Harris of Manhattan Pizza will be baking the corned beef plus fixings. The dinner and dance cost $12 per adult, $7 per child.

Tickets for only the dance in the Depot are available for $5 per person.

Built in 1877, the building is being renovated by owner Pierce Powell, who is calling this the Depot's first "official party." He said the building holds about 299 comfortably, the maximum for this event. There are still tickets left.

Ashley Huff, winner of this year's Miss Nevada title, will help kick off Saturday's dance in addition to being in the parade, which starts at noon Sunday. The 21-year-old is pursuing a master's degree in communications at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Barney Brady, Irish consul general to Nevada, will be grand marshal for the parade.

The event is sponsored by the Virginia City and Gold Hill Chamber of Commerce.

Tickets can be purchased at a number of Virginia City businesses, including the Red Dog Saloon, Crystal Bar, Lafayette Market, Stake Your Claim, Yours to Explore, at the Chamber of Commerce or at the door. Call 847-0311 for more information.

IF YOU GO

What: Celtic Weekend and Parade

When: 7 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. Saturday, 12 noon Sunday

Where: Virginia City

Information: Virginia City and Gold Hill Chamber of Commerce, 847-0311.