Get Your Green On in Yosemite Gold Country!

From Celtic Faire festivities to dancing leprechauns, Yosemite Gold Country is no slouch when it comes to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and its many traditions. Yosemite Gold Country Irish and Celtic heritage dates back to the days of the Gold Rush. Yosemite Gold Country is located just two and a half hours east of San Francisco and two hours south of Sacramento. Over half of Yosemite National Park is located in Tuolumne County. In addition to Yosemite, Tuolumne County is home to Gold Rush towns, two state parks, eclectic shopping, wine tasting, fun dining and four-season recreation.

In the mid-1800’s when gold was being discovered throughout the Mother Lode, the town of Sonora, Tuolumne County’s only incorporated City, was a thriving Gold Rush town. Most of the hard rock miners in Sonora were immigrants from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Cornwall. The hard rock miners from Cornwall built the town and mill of Soulsbyville, a quaint hamlet located about 3 miles east of Sonora.

In celebration of this heritage, downtown Sonora merchants will be getting their green on with exquisite window displays that honor Irish and Celtic roots. These displays will be judged and cash prizes will be awarded. The decorated windows will be a most welcoming site to the thousands of visitors coming to attend one of Tuolumne County’s signature events – the 28th Annual Sonora Celtic Faire on March 7th – 9th held at the Mother Lode Fairground.

This year’s Celtic faire will present five stages of Celtic Music featuring: Celtica, Tempest, 1916, Black-Eyed Dempseys, Banshee in the Kitchen, Black Irish Band, Cooking with Turf, Stand Easy with master piper John Alan, Golden Bough, and many more. See the excitement of Jousting on horseback and a large armor foot combat tournament, featuring over 30 competitors. Attendees can peruse a Celtic living history area featuring over 400 costumed performers acting out 2000 years of Celtic History. Eighty Celtic vendors, craftsman, and artisans will be showing their wares. There will also be Scottish Highland Competition Games and Scottish Bagpipe Bands, Celtic Clans, Irish dogs and more. Join in the fun of the Irish Step Dancers and Scottish Highland Dancers all while enjoying traditional foods, whiskies, and ale. For more detailed information on pricing and hours please visit www.sonoracelticfaire.com.

Elsewhere in the area for St. Patrick’s Day Black Oak Casino Resort’s Mill Sports Bar will be offering St. Paddy’s Day drink specials which of course include green beer. Also on the menu is Guinness Stout Stew and Irish “nachos” (loaded fries). At the Black Oak Café guests can relax and enjoy a Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner with traditional Irish soda bread. Black Oak Casino’s Willow Creek Lounge will offer Irish drink specials and exciting entertainment featuring dancing leprechauns! Black Oak Casino Resort is located in the town of Tuolumne, just ten minutes southeast of Sonora.

March is a beautiful time of year to visit Yosemite Gold Country as Spring arrives bringing with it spectacular displays of wildflowers and waterfalls. For more information on Tuolumne County visit www.yosemitegoldcountry.com.