MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - It's all about the green this weekend. People have started their St. Patrick's Day celebrations early this year.
"We love St. Patrick's Day. We love Memphis. It's great to be here,” said Paul Graham, a tourist visiting Memphis for the first time.
Whether it's a green t-shirt or a leprechaun inside a bar, everyone is getting into the St. Patrick's Day spirit.
"Today is get ready day. It's like New Orleans and the Super Bowl. Tomorrow (Saturday) is almost Super Bowl because of the parade,” said Silky O’Sullivan, owner of his namesake bar on Beale Street.
Sullivan employees started celebrating Thursday.
"Businesswise it's in the top 10, so yeah, we're geared up for it, we're stoked,” said bar manger Dennis Flanagan.
Alcohol is usually involved with this Irish holiday. MPD says cops will be watching closely, especially for drunk drivers. If green beer is not your thing, there will be plenty of other things to do.
"At Court Square tomorrow from 2 to 8 it's called Mudbugs in March. It's going to be a $5 admission but it's crawfish," said Jimmy Ogle with the Riverfront Development Corp. ”Elton John will be at the FedEx Forum tomorrow (Saturday) night too! You can't beat that at all. So all that combined, and with this nice weather, you probably will have full hotel rooms, a lot of trolley rides, a lot of full restaurants - so it's a good economic impact for downtown.”
The 40th annual Beale Street St. Patrick’s Day Parade will start Saturday at 3:30pm.
