Photo Credit: Shane Clausing

By Shane Clausing

return of St. Patrick's day

Local establishment excited for first normal St. Patrick’s Day in three years

Mar 17, 2022 | 6:00 AM

It has been two years since local bars and restaurants were able to celebrate St. Patricks Day properly.

Back in March 2020, as many establishments were preparing for a big St. Patricks Day party, they were forced to shut down because of the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It wasn’t until May of that year establishments were allowed to re-open and many were forced to throw out the kegs they had purchased prior to the big day.

Bars and restaurants were allowed to open for the occasion last year, albeit at limited capacity.

Owner of The Lion’s Den Pub in Grande Prairie Todd Zahorodniuk says he and his staff are very excited to have the opportunity to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day properly this year.

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“At the time, we weren’t allowed to be at full capacity (and) now we are able to open to full capacity and full hours, so our staff is pumped right up and our customers are pumped right up,” he said.

“It’s on a Thursday, which is Thursden, so it could be a wild and fun day for sure.”

Last year’s St. Patricks Day also marked the official opening of The Lion’s Den Pub at the old Tony Roma’s location.

While last year staff and customers were able to have some fun, Zahorodniuk adds it just did not feel the same.

“We were limited to capacity in house and limited to only so many people per table.,” he explained.

“We were able to stay open a little bit later then. We still had a fun day, but it’s going to be so much more fun now.”

Since March 1, restaurants and bars have been able to operate at full capacity without any rules or restrictions. That includes the elimination of the Restrictions Exemption Program (REP), which asked for patrons to show proof of vaccination in order to enter the facility.

Zahorodniuk tells EverythingGP it has been a breath of fresh air for him and his staff since the restrictions were lifted.

“The one (rule) that really hit us was the QR code. A lot of people just didn’t go out, that was the most painful part. Having that gone is absolutely a relief for everybody and you wouldn’t believe the number of people that said ‘I didn’t go out for a full year and I’m excited again,'” he explained.

“A lot of people just took that time to spend time at home and I respect them for that, but its really good to see their smiling faces come out again.”