Happy St. Patrick's Day! Dogtown is Heading to Eureka This Afternoon

Several decorations around Eureka and Wildwood have been lively for this festive St. Patrick's Day occasion.  Their green hue is a welcome sight, given this week's return to sleet, snow and winter blahs. The horse statue at the was great.  As Irish traditions go, one is to tap a leprechaun to find a pot of gold.  Has anyone looked at the Horseshoe Tack Shop for a different kind of golden shimmer lately?

One St. Patrick myth is the claim that he banished snakes from Ireland. While it's true no snakes exist on the island today, according to natives, they never did. Because Ireland is surrounded by icy ocean waters, snakes can't migrate from Britain or elsewhere.

Because snakes often represent evil in literature, historians say when Patrick drives the snakes out of Ireland, it is symbolically saying he drove the old, evil, pagan ways out of Ireland [and] brought in a new age.

To assist Eureka-Wildwood Patch readers, earlier this week we published our , which highlights local places to go to celebrate this Irish-oriented event, so you would have time to decide and plan.

Editor's Note:  The following information was added at 1:45 p.m.

At mid-day, Barb and Charlie Gillick, owners of The Eureka Wine House, had homemade potato soup heating, the doors open and their Irish kilts on.  Barb said she has been told from Facebook users that people who are at today's Dogtown parade are heading her way.

Barb made potato soup that comes from a family recipe.  One of the differences is that the soup contains both sausage and bacon.  Both she and Charlie's relatives hail from County Cork, Ireland.

Live music, including Irish tunes, will be provided by Mike, "The Horn Dog Roach," starting at 3 p.m. at the Wine House.

While there, you might want to wish Barb a happy birthday.  She said they will be open until 11 p.m. or midnight, but if you want to taste her complimentary potato soup, you might want to hurry.