Virginia City to go nuts Saturday with Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry, St. Paddy's parade
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Tue, 03/07/2023 - 11:59am
With winter 2023 being taken up a few notches by Mother Nature, what better way to prepare for the arrival of spring than to go all-out, balls-to-the-wall nuts Saturday in Virginia City.
The 32nd Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry aims to do just that, bringing chefs from all over the region on March 11 who will go head-to-head for bragging rights as the best land oyster cooker in the west.
There’s no better way to celebrate the coming St. Patrick’s Day than with a weekend of Irish music, a parade from noon to 1 p.m. on C Street, a ball breaker saloon crawl, costume contest and more in a place that honors its Irish heritage all year long.
Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry attendees can join in on the Silver State’s largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration by sampling all the fried, pounded, peeled, poached, grilled, smoked, sauteed and braised Rocky Mountain Oysters they desire. The Oyster Fry is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on C Street.
The less adventurous eaters can celebrate Virginia City’s Irish heritage with the Ballbreaker Saloon Crawl (11 a.m. to 4 a.m.) for even more festive food and drink while discovering some of the oldest, most historic saloons in Nevada.
New in 2023, the saloons are competing for the best Irish-themed drink and your vote for the inaugural People’s Choice Award. Go here for more information.
Live music will be featured as well with David John and the Comstock Cowboys at the Bucket of Blood Saloon from 2 to 6 p.m. and live music at the Red Dog Saloon from 7 to 10 p.m.
Dress warm and in green. For more about this and upcoming Virginia City events, go here.
Later next week, the Luck of the Irish Mystery Train will be at the Virginia Truckee Railroad. Step on board the St. Patrick’s Day Mystery Train on Saturday, March 18. Once you are seated on one of our authentic Victorian Passenger cars you will soon have an Irish beer or whiskey (or white wine if you prefer) in your hand and the fun will begin.
The Fun Time Theater Company will present a mystery for you to solve while you travel along in comfort and enjoy special Irish themed snacks and drinks. Prizes will be given for the best and worst guesses as you put two and two together and figure out “who done it."
Irish music and shenanigans will be plentiful as you travel from our 1870s era passenger depot in Virginia City to Gold Hill. Enjoy shopping and dining on the Virginia City boardwalk before heading on down to the depot. Departure is set for 6pm.
Tickets for the Mystery Train will be $56 per person and reservations are available at virginiatruckee.com.
