Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

Thousands Prep to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Gaslamp Tonight

Thousands of people will be celebrating St. Patrick's Day in San Diego's Gaslamp District this evening at this year's Sham-Rock festival. Reporter David Nogueras has more.

Thousands of people will be celebrating St. Patrick's Day in San Diego's Gaslamp District this evening at this year's Sham-Rock festival. Reporter David Nogueras has more.

About 70 workers scrambled to build two stages downtown. They'll be used to accommodate the five bands, DJs, and dancers.

Roads are closed to traffic just east of Horton Plaza. The streets are draped with 60,000 square feet of shiny green astroturf.

Advertisement

Irishman Gary O'Neil is celebrating his eighth St. Patrick's Day in San Diego. O'Neil says he hasn't had much time to celebrate. He's the bar manager at a local Irish pub called Field and he's been hard at work since nine this morning.

O'Neil : St. Patrick's Day is a big day. It can be stressful in there but a lot of us are used to it by now so we can handle it pretty good.

O'Neil says his staff has had a few days to rehearse. He says many revelers began celebrating the holiday this past Friday.

For KPBS, I'm David Nogueras.