Annual St. Patrick’s Day Event Returns

Another much loved sign of normalcy will make its return with this year’s Sons and Daughters of Erin Annual Shamrock Dinner and Dance. The event will be held at 6:30 PM on February 26th at the San Marco Catholic Church parish center after being cancelled in 2021 because of Florida’s pandemic-related restrictions on gatherings. 

Entertainment will be provided by Marco Islanders Moose and Mary Jo O’Regan, who both hail from the Emerald Isle. Tickets are $55, which includes a corned beef and cabbage dinner prepared by a world-famous chef.

“We’re just trying to get it all back together and get things rolling again after last year’s pause related to the pandemic,” said Sons and Daughters of Erin President Kathleen Reynolds. “It’s (the dinner dance) gotten a good response from people so far, that they want to come,” 

She said the dinner dance started about 16 years ago and she’s hoping this year’s gathering will be just another step towards people feeling safe in sharing an in person, good time with others. 

Reynolds is also the organizer of the annual Marco Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Hooley. The popular event will have to be cancelled this year because of the road construction work at the intersection of Heathwood Drive and San Marco Road. Participants traditionally gather in the Naples Community Hospital Urgent Care parking lot before departing on the parade route, which runs along Bald Eagle Drive before turning into Veterans Park. 

“I don’t want to stop doing it,” said Reynolds. “This would be our 13th year, I think, and it’s something that people look forward to.”

She’s also president of the San Marco Columbiettes Catholic Women’s organization, which will hold its annual Treasures in the Trunk Sale on February 19th in the San Marco Catholic Church Parish Center. The fundraiser provides the opportunity to sell new, used or antique treasures from the trunk of your vehicle. 

Tickets for the Sons and Daughters of Erin Annual Shamrock Dinner and Dance are available at the San Marco Catholic Church Parish office, located at 851 San Marco Road, or by calling either 239-394-5181 or Kathleen Reynolds at 239-404-6733.