C. Oregon’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations will look different this year

(Update: Adding comments from bar owner/manager)

After last year's absence; OHA urges small gatherings, virtual or outdoors

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Twelve months after one of the biggest drinking holidays of the year was essentially canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions, St. Patrick's Day returns to Central Oregon.

This year will be different, but Central Oregon bars are still hoping for a big day.

"It's usually the biggest day of the year," Sidelines Sports Bar and Grill owner Trevor Kalberg told NewsChannel 21 on Tuesday,

The biggest day of the year -- that didn't happen last year. Oregon's COVID restrictions went in place the day before the holiday, and that forced Kalberg to toss much of his holiday supplies.

"I ended up having an extra couple hundred pounds of corned beef, four kegs of Guinness and lots and lots of Jamison," he said.

This year, pandemic restrictions will limit the bar's capacity to just 50 percent inside.

"I expect a pretty good turnout,” Kalberg said. “We'll probably have to turn a number of people away."

Kalberg said he thinks people are excited to go out for the holiday, but the Oregon Health Authority is still urging caution.

River Pig Saloon General Manager Sean Lawrence said,"It's different than what we're used to for St. Patrick's Day, so we're just honestly trying to create a fun and safe environment here."

Lawrence said that like Sidelines, River Pig is not letting up on any of the health protocols.

"It's not going to be an all-out party that I think some people want it to be," he said.

But that shouldn't spoil a good time.

"We'll open at 8 o'clock in the morning, serving corned beef hash and eggs --and green beers, bright and early as well," Kalberg said.

But not every business is planning on going all-out for St. Patrick’s Day. Bend's Westside Tavern told NewsChannel 21 they're treating St. Patrick’s Day like any other day -- no specials or anything.

As you might expect, the Oregon Health Authority urges, "The safest way to celebrate this year is to celebrate with the people you live with, to gather virtually or to gather outside while wearing face coverings and maintaining 6 feet of physical distance. " 

Here are some of OHA's ideas for celebrating safely:   

• Decorate your home in St. Patrick’s Day colors, shamrocks and leprechauns.  
• Celebrate by making Irish-inspired recipes.  
• Have a small outdoor St. Patrick’s Day celebration, with everyone at least 6 feet apart and wearing masks.  
• Watch a virtual St. Patrick’s Day celebration. 
• And don’t forget to wear green.