Ottawa REDBLACKS Lewis Ward will kick off Beau’s St. Patrick’s Party

Attendees of Beau’s St. Patrick’s Party on Saturday March 16 are in for a special treat this year – Ottawa REDBLACKS placekicker Lewis Ward, the 2018 Most Outstanding Rookie and Most Outstanding Special Teams Player, will be on hand to greet fans and tap the official cask of Irish red ale at the party’s opening ceremonies. Ward will also be acting as Parade Marshall in the St. Patrick’s Day parade that starts from Ottawa City Hall at 11 am and leads right to Aberdeen Pavilion, where the Beau’s St. Patrick’s Party starts at noon. The event is co-hosted by craft brewery Beau’s and The Irish Society of the National Capital Region.

The opening ceremonies lead into an entire day of all-ages Irish-themed entertainment, featuring traditional music from Mountain Tay and performances by Sue Fay Healy’s talented young Irish dancers. The evening pumps up the volume with a musical mainstage headlined by Celtic punk legends The Mahones, as well as opening acts Irish Moutarde, The Beatdown, and É.T.É.

Complementing the festivities are a dozen Beau’s beers to choose from, along with 14 taps from other Ontario craft breweries. Two Ottawa restaurants, Bowman’s Grill and Mulligans Golf Bar, will be bringing an inspired menu of meat pies, corned beef tacos, and vegetarian options. Pascale’s Ice Cream and Ministry of Coffee will have a selection of cool treats and warm drinks. Cider, gluten-free and alcohol-free beer will also be available.

Tickets are $5 for kids and $29 for adults, available at stpatricksparty.ca.

Photo by Ben Welland.