A green day on Lakewood Main Street to celebrate St. Patrick's Day

By Madison Bierl
| 7:18 a.m. March 18, 2026

Sarasota's Tony Mullet, Dianne Gardner, Annelle Mullet,
Dave Gardner and Denise Miller get their green on to celebrate St. Patrick's Day on Lakewood Main Street on March 17. — Sarasota's Tony Mullet, Dianne Gardner, Annelle Mullet, Dave Gardner and Denise Miller get their green on to celebrate St. Patrick's Day on Lakewood Main Street on March 17.

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For Lakewood Ranch's Nicole O'Malley, attending events with her three children — Rhiannon, Charlie and Annabelle — allows her to experience events with a sense of childlike wonder.

This was especially true during the St. Patrick's Day celebration on Lakewood Main Street March 17. It was a collaborative effort between EZ Restaurant Group (Percoco’s, The Peculiar Pub, Twisted Pit) and Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue Center.

"It felt like one big community celebration and we’re so grateful to be part of such a wonderful area," O’Malley said. "The kids loved dancing around together and it was just one of those easy, happy days you wish you could bottle up."

Everywhere you looked, people were dressed in green with hats, necklaces and various accessories that made it clear it was St. Patrick's Day.

Lakewood Ranch's Bill Nicholson dressed in a Guinness hat and shirt and went a few steps further to include a shamrock scarf and various necklaces.

Nicholson celebrates St. Patrick's Day every year.

"Everyone was so friendly. It was a typical Lakewood Ranch day," Nicholson said. "This year I thought the vendors and staff were especially helpful."

There was a beer tanker on Lakewood Main Street serving Irish beer all day. All proceeds will be donated to Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center.

Lakewood Ranch's Claudia Kell was among the group of volunteers from Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center to serve the beer.

"I love volunteering for Nate's and the music was great," Kell said. "I loved interacting with all the people and I do celebrate St. Patrick's Day every year because I'm a wee bit Irish. It's always great to celebrate your heritage and meet new people."

Zachary Zeller, president of EZ Restaurant Group, said he was shocked at the turnout.

"We wanted to bring something special to Main Street that the whole community could enjoy — not just a restaurant event, but something that brought families, local businesses, and neighbors together," Zeller said. "Seeing the turnout and the energy today, it felt like we accomplished that."

Lakewood Ranch's Bill Nicholson is in the St. Patrick's Day spirit with his Guinness-themed outfit and green accessories.

Bridget Browne of Buffalo, New York can't help but dance to the tunes of the White Crowe band on St. Patrick's Day.

Lakewood Ranch's Callie Cecil, 6, gets her face painted by Sarasota Face Painting's Erin Ernst.

Lakewood Ranch's Rhiannon O’Malley, Charlie O’Malley, Quinn Cannon
and Annabelle O’Malley let their energy out at the St. Patrick's Day celebration by running in circles. — Lakewood Ranch's Rhiannon O’Malley, Charlie O’Malley, Quinn Cannon and Annabelle O’Malley let their energy out at the St. Patrick's Day celebration by running in circles.

Magician Timothy Pitch does a magic trick for Lakewood Ranch's Lucas Weakley, Rosalie Miller and Kinley Badenhorst.

Claudia Kell is among the group of volunteers from Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center to serve Irish beer.

Traci Franklin, Michael Avery, Pete Viagliotti and Allison Viagliotti dress for the occasion on St. Patrick's Day on March 17.

Lakewood Ranch's Matty Favero, Olivia Zeller, Alora Stone and Keller Favero take a Kona Ice break from the St. Patricks Day festivities.

Palmetto's Nora Deland, 6, leads her younger brother Liam Deland, 2, in dance to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

Palmetto's Sam Deland and Russ Deland watch as their children Nora and
Liam dance with one another on St. Patrick's Day. — Palmetto's Sam Deland and Russ Deland watch as their children Nora and Liam dance with one another on St. Patrick's Day.

Paiten Moody, Chloe Moody, Piper Bates and Harper Bates model their sparkly hats they describe as "fabulous and crazy" and "Irish country."

Benny, a 1-year-old Aussiedoodle and Bernedoodle mix, attends the St. Patrick's Day celebration wearing his lucky bandana.

Herm Hipson, Denise Hodge and Bill Nicholson enjoy Irish-themed beer at the St. Patrick's Day celebration on Lakewood Main Street.

Tom McNulty, Dana Lawrence and Johnny Mac McNulty of Prodigal Sons perform Americana, folk and Irish tunes on St. Patrick's Day on Lakewood Main Street.

Attendees of the St. Patrick's Day celebration on Lakewood Main Street are able to enjoy Irish-themed mixed drinks and beers to celebrate the holiday.

Brian Crowe, the lead singer of the Sarasota-based White Crowe Band performs on Lakewood Main Street for St. Patrick's Day.

author

Madison Bierl

Madison Bierl is the education and community reporter for the East County Observer. She grew up in Iowa and studied at the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University.