By Carol Britton Meyer

Hull will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with even more spirit and merriment than usual this year, not only on March 17, but also during four days of special events leading up to the holiday.

Everything from Irish food and music to step dancing and a Pot O’ Gold raffle is designed to give a boost to local year-round businesses and to offer residents a fun time during the March doldrums.

The Hull Nantasket Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with local retail shops and restaurants, is hosting a fun-filled St. Patrick’s Day celebration from March 9-12, featuring special events for all ages to brighten the season and to spotlight year-round merchants during this quieter time before business picks up again in the spring and summer.

Event organizers say this will be the biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebration that Hull has ever had.

The planning started six weeks ago after the idea was floated at a Chamber meeting as a way to remind the community that many Hull shops and restaurants remain open during the winter months.

“A lot of surrounding communities celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in a big way, which sparked the idea to do the same in Hull,” Joanne Coletta-Levine, the Chamber’s administrator, told The Hull Times.

The Chamber put the word out to local businesses, which responded enthusiastically, and the idea kept growing and expanding. “It’s a win-win for all of us,” she said, explaining that it is an opportunity to show support for local businesses during the slow period, while at the same time providing residents with four days full of fun.

“Everybody, regardless of whether they are of Irish heritage or not, really appreciates St. Patrick’s Day as a time to celebrate and to have a good time during the winter,” she said. “We’ve incorporated a lot of events on the adult side and also family-friendly activities. We’re very excited about it, and the businesses are, too.”

The idea behind holding this St. Patrick’s Day celebration early is to allow room for the traditional celebration the following week.

“This way, the fun is spread out,” Coletta-Levine said.

Thursday, March 9, kicks off the festivities with a corned beef dinner for seniors at the Parrot, with live music by an Irish trio from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets for this event are $20, and seats are limited. A cash bar is available. To purchase a ticket, visit the Hull Senior Center by Monday, March 6. Entertainment is provided through a donation from the organizers of Porchfest.

The following day, March 10, Scoops will host a St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock Scoop Celebration featuring make-your-own Sham O’Rock (green!) sundaes with all the toppings and face painting, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The same day, Daddy’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebration will feature corned beef and cabbage pizza, a specialty cocktail, green beer, music, and dancing from 12:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Parrot will be the scene of a pre-St. Patrick’s Day celebration featuring whiskey tastings, Guinness beer glass engravings, Irish music, and step dancing on Saturday, March 11, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Also on Saturday, March 11, the Hull Public Library will offer a shamrock craft activity from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Paragon Boardwalk Celebration will feature kids’ activities, a costume contest, music, cornhole, and more throughout the day on Sunday, March 12.

Other events include a 20-50% off sale on Irish-imported products, including sweaters, scarves, handbags, hats, and more at Little Shop of Paula’s; special Irish-inspired confections, including St. Patrick’s Day dark chocolate and green mint bark at Nantasket Sweets by Swedes; and the Luck Be a Lady special, 10% off all facials and gift cards at Shore Skin Studio.

Pot of Gold contributors, with more come, include: Shipwreck’d, Breadbasket, Seaside Transport, Julie’s Pure Bliss, Manet Community Health, Scoops, South Shore Cycles, Hull Nantasket Chamber of Commerce, Gallery Nantasket, Little Shop of Paula’s, Saltwater Diner, Charisma Realty, Nantasket Sweets, Paragon Carousel, Shore Skin Studio, Nantasket Paint & Hardware, and Wellspring Multi-Service Center.

Tying the four days of celebration together will be a free Pot O’ Gold raffle at each participating location.

“We’re already getting many donations from businesses around town,” Coletta-Levine said. “It will be a great raffle, featuring three big prizes.”

The rest is a secret!

The celebration, featuring a combination of free and paid events, will be held rain or shine, because the events will be happening indoors.

“We’re really looking forward to this celebration and hope people come out and enjoy it,” Coletta-Levine said. “If it’s successful, we’d like to do even bigger and better things next year.”

As the Irish say, “beidh sé ina am spraíúil” – “It will be a fun time!

Businesses can still get involved in the festivities, and should contact the Chamber at info@hullchamber.com or 781-925-9980.