2023 Shamrock The Block Festival Draws Thousands Of Richmond Merrymakers

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2023 Shamrock The Block Festival Draws Thousands Of Richmond Merrymakers

Torches, children, tacos and techno. there was something for everyone at this year's Shamrock the Block festival.

Billed as a cure for cabin fever, the festival attracted thousands of Richmondians. Some showed up in green and some even in leather pants at the new street party venue in the Scott's Addition neighborhood of Richmond.

Half a mile behind the Movieland complex, organizers have delivered on their promise to "divert more blocks" by expanding the festival to its new location, organizer Mike Murphy said.

Richmond's Susie Williams will perform at the Shamrock the Block festival in Richmond on Saturday. The festival moved to Leigh Street this year.

The guests said they were satisfied.

"We love it. It's like spring has finally arrived." said participant Susan Williams. Williams and her friend Susan Meador arrived in St. Patrick's Day costumes, including wigs.

Meador wore his outfit with pride.

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Leigh Street in Richmond is packed with festival goers on Saturday for the 17th annual Shamrock The Block Street festival on Leigh Street in Richmond.

"I'm an Irish quarterback, but this quarterback is mine today," Meador said. "Of course, I had to tone it down a bit.

With nearly 55,000 attendees, this year's festival shows how far the tradition has grown since its inception in 2006. Back then, Shamrock the Block was located in Shockoe Bottom, with fewer vendors and promotions.

Saturday's festival featured tons of vendors, local crafts, food trucks from area restaurants and, of course, several beer tents where festival organizers could play semi-competitive games like Flip Cup. .

Murphy said the event is designed to accommodate the warm weather.

“We never wanted it to be an Irish festival. It was more about being the first festival after winter,” Murphy said. “You leave home for the first time in the spring. People are ready to go and can't wait to get out.

Murphy is the managing partner of Three One One Productions, which also hosts the San Benito Oktoberfest and the Carytown Watermelon Festival.

In 2014 the festival moved from Chocolate Bottom to Arthur Ashe Boulevard in addition to Scott's. This year, however, they moved to a bigger location on West Leigh Street, Murphy said.

“We actually just moved around the corner. And our theme this year is 'More Block to Rock',” Murphy said.

Murphy said that this year, Three One One Productions tried to expand its food offering beyond the usual carnival. Getting into the restaurant was a challenge as they are not always used to the demands of a high volume road festival.

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“We're really trying to elevate our food game to reflect the landscape of Richmond,” Murphy said. "This is the first year that we've really focused on that."

Jonathan Austin, foreground, performs for festival goers at the 17th annual Shamrock the Block festival on Leigh Street in Richmond on Saturday.

Music-wise, the street festival's main stage featured three acts: The day kicked off with Richmond psychedelic rock band JBB, followed by Zip 9 and 80s tribute band Totally Random, rounding out the early evening.

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