St. Pat’s in Five Points Official Kickoff Event Set for Thursday, Feb. 29

Listen to this article

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Official Kickoff to St. Pat’s in Five Points, presented by the Fountain Division of W.P. Law, Inc., is set for 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 29, at the main fountain plaza in Five Points, 747 Saluda Ave., in Columbia, South Carolina. Admission is free, and the event is open to the public.

“The Official Kickoff to St. Pat’s in Five Points is an opportunity for the community to gather together and celebrate the start of the St. Pat’s season in Columbia,” says Heather McDonald, executive director of the Five Points Association. “It’s a tradition that families, especially the children who help dye the fountain green, look forward to each year. Seeing families, friends and neighbors join in the Irish festivities and create new memories is truly a highlight of the year for us.”

Official Kickoff Event Details

This family-friendly event is a preview for the fun to come at St. Pat’s in Five Points. The Official Kickoff event will feature:

• Traditional Irish music from Palmetto Pipes and Drums.
• Performances by the Connick School of Irish Dance.
• Dyeing the Five Points Fountain green.
• Special guests, including Gamecock football players Hunter Rogers (#36) and Alex “Boogie” Huntley (#95).
• Children’s activities: Ladybug Face Painting, balloon artistry, crafts and more.
• The Donut Guy and Kona Ice will be onsite with items available for purchase.

For additional information about the Official Kickoff, visit https://stpatscolumbia.com/oko/.

St. Pat’s in Five Points Festival Details

St. Pat’s in Five Points, Columbia’s largest one-day festival, is scheduled for Saturday, March 16. This year’s event will feature its largest lineup ever with more than 40 local, regional and national artists across multiple stages and venues, including headlining performances from Lawrence, The War and Treaty, Futurebirds, Sister Hazel and Conner Smith. For a complete list of bands, visit https://stpatscolumbia.com/live-music. Columbia-based recording artist, producer, entrepreneur and hip-hop activist Master Splnta aka FatRat Da Czar will return as this year’s host.

In addition to live music, the festival also hosts a variety of vendors, food trucks, artisans and family-friendly attractions, including:

• Get to the Green 10K at 7:30 a.m., 5K at 7:45 a.m. and 1-Mile Family Fun Run at 8:00 a.m. All events start and finish on Devine Street near the festival entrance. Registration includes festival entry, a shirt, custom finisher’s medal and post-race refreshments.
• St. Pat’s Parade begins at 10 a.m. and covers a one-mile route that starts at Devine Street and Sims Avenue and ends on College Street.
• Pot O’Gold Playland, a children’s area offering balloon art, face painting, games, rides and more, will be open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in the Andy’s Deli parking lot at 2005 Greene St.

Tickets to the festival can be purchased online at StPatsColumbia.com.

• General admission tickets are $30 in advance until midnight on March 15 and will also be available day of the event for $35 online and at the gate.
• The Saluda’s and Tito’s Ultra-Premium VIP Experience will be held at Saluda’s Restaurant, located at 751 Saluda Ave. Tickets are $200 each.
• The Lucky Leprechaun VIP Lounge will be located near the Postcard Mural in Five Points. Tickets are $125 each.

Last year, St. Pat’s in Five Points welcomed approximately 35,000 attendees with more than 35 percent traveling from outside of Columbia, spanning more than 2,000 zip codes and 30+ countries. The festival brings in $12.6 million to the City of Columbia and Richland County, allowing the Five Points Association the opportunity to give back to the community that has been its biggest supporter. To date, the Five Points Association has donated approximately $1.2 million to local charities.

For more information, visit StPatsColumbia.com, download the “St. Pat’s at Five Points” app, or follow the festival on Facebook @StPatsinFivePoints, Instagram @stpatsinfivepoints and TikTok @StPatsinFivePoints. To learn more about sponsorships, vendor or parade applications and/or volunteering, please email info@stpatscolumbia.com.

About St. Pat’s in Five Points
Set in the vibrant Five Points district of Columbia S.C., St. Pat’s in Five Points is one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day festivals in the Southeast, drawing 35,000+ attendees of all ages from across the region and beyond. The annual event showcases a diverse lineup of musical acts across multiple stages and also features a variety of vendors, food trucks, artisans and family-friendly attractions, including the Pot O’ Gold Playland, the Get to the Green race and the St. Pat’s Parade. Originally conceived by Duncan MacRae of Yesterday’s Restaurant & Tavern, Steve Gibson of Peddler Steak House, Chuck Pettit of the Columbia Jaycees and Tony Latella of PYA Monarch, St. Pat’s in Five Points is a Columbia tradition known for its fun atmosphere and focus on giving back to the Midlands community. To date, the Five Points Association has donated approximately $1.2 million to local charities.

About the Five Points Association
Founded in 1983, the Five Points Association is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to the growth and evolution of Five Points, a one-of-a-kind commercial and residential district that is home to more than 100 businesses. Led by an executive director and governed by a board of directors, the Five Points Association oversees the efforts to promote, grow and support the Five Points district. The Five Points Association oversees the district’s events, development, clean and safe team and beautification projects. Visit https://fivepointscolumbia.com to learn more.