Norman — Crimson is usually the prevalent color in this college town. But Wednesday, residents were seeing green as Norman celebrated St. Patrick’s Day.
Several restaurants dressed in green and served their best Irish beers and food.
James E. McNellie’s Abner’s Ale House, 121 E. Main St., closed the road between Jones Avenue and North Peters Avenue on Main Street to pitch a tent and throw a party. Sydney Sevier, Lonnie Crego and Sherman Brennan were three Norman residents in the small crowd before 5 p.m.
Brennan and Sevier took a half day off work to celebrate the holiday. Crego, who owns his own business, shut down early.
Brennan said he was thankful to have a place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day that wasn’t aimed at college students and was away from Campus Corner.
“We’re all out of college. We’re all working professionals,” he said. “We need someplace to hang out too.”
He said he likes seeing Norman’s downtown continue to grow, noting that it draws a different crowd than Campus Corner.
The block party was scheduled to last through midnight. The restaurant had to get special permission to host the event, which included obtaining signatures from 75 percent of nearby businesses.
Just north of the bagpipes and leprechauns of Abner’s, Bison Witches had strung balloons to welcome an Irish-loving crowd. They were offering Irish drink specials throughout the night.
Aaron Wright 366-3533 pop@normantranscript.com
