Worst Shamrock the Block ever

Submitted by GardenOrca t3_11oz07z in rva

Those lines for EVERYTHING were horrendous. Not enough ports-potites, one drink line, band not loud at all.

Very disappointed in the setup of this year. I wanna know if people feel the same.

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Comments

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MikeMazook t1_jbvkpoh wrote

It's almost like people don't realize you can go grab a drink in Scott's Addition seven days a week, all year round.

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LionOver t1_jbx4jno wrote

It's different though, because if you do that, you miss out on sharing the space with hundreds of people that are the human embodiments of Creed and Nickelback.

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10000Didgeridoos t1_jbx83o6 wrote

I don't understand where they all materialize from for STB every March, never to be seen again until the following year. It's like they return to spawn in the portapotties where they were conceived.

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ExtremeHobo t1_jbxyu9m wrote

>I don't understand where they all materialize from

Sandston and Mechanicsville

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drinkslinger1974 t1_jby7lks wrote

Omg I laughed waaaayyyy too hard at this!!! (Mechanicsville escapee here)

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LionOver t1_jbxeiwz wrote

My wife is from further north and she says they call them the "bridge and tunnel" crowd.

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Intrepid-Branch8982 t1_jbvg79e wrote

Have you not been before? Every single one is like that. Amateur.

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tarheel343 t1_jbwiqc2 wrote

I don’t remember shamrock the block ever being good.

The Church Hill Irish festival is a much better experience all around.

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FalloutRip t1_jbxs525 wrote

Hey not so loud! We like our little event nice and tidy(ish). Lines were already getting pretty long at last years Irish festival.

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thegreatmachine21 t1_jby3alu wrote

It was butts to nuts there last year and took 40+ min to get drink tix bc their card readers lost WiFi for some reason and they could only accept cash.

Still likely better than Shamrock the Block though.

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drdeeznuts420 t1_jby1pfb wrote

Ahhhh the reinforcing of stereotypes from white folks touting their great great great great great great grandparents heritage while I hear lovely comments from the neighborhood folks like, “the Irish had it just as bad as black people” which is a real thing I heard on my shift last year. The Irish fest might be better than Shamrock but it’s not by much.

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Key-Chemistry2022 t1_jc38xas wrote

I dont celebrate st patricks and my grandparents on both sides are from ireland. Kinda weird you'd also try to make a go at how Irish were treated though. Not saying I'm going to draw an equivalent to systemic racism in america but you sound a bit uneducated on the subject to be making any judgement calls... don't be proud of it.

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drdeeznuts420 t1_jc3ha29 wrote

My “lovely” was sarcasm. I’m not having a go at anything besides the folks who would say something so stupid

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ValidGarry t1_jbx189r wrote

I moved here 10 years ago and this has been part of the annual Circle of Life in RVA.

  1. Someone asks if Shamrock is good.
  2. 99.9% of posters say it's terrible.
  3. 0.1% say 'brah, it's great, aren't you Irish enough'
  4. It takes place.
  5. The community united with 100% of posts saying it was shite and a rip off.
  6. We start bitching about the upcoming festivals.
  7. It's March again!
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dirtmatter t1_jbxqlj4 wrote

i moved here from ireland and its always very interesting to see richmonds version of st paddys vs dublins ! never been to shamrock the block but heard theres an irish festival elsewhere thats pretty good ?

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Silly_Willy51 t1_jbvind2 wrote

The worst I’ve ever been to. Can’t wait til next year

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rvahrat29 t1_jbvzpds wrote

And the bless your heart award goes to … ❤️‍🩹

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drycounty t1_jbx0trk wrote

“The worst Shamrock the Block ever!” is an all-around great way to begin conversations on Monday.

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1975hh3 t1_jbvx62f wrote

You were warned. This sub has said this for weeks. AVOID.

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Asterion7 t1_jbvl46w wrote

Lol. This gets posted every year.

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opienandm t1_jbvt7ch wrote

Scamrock The Block

I still remember when they tried to ignore that Covid was happening in 2020 and the self-righteousness of the organizer when the mayor told him to shut it down. Always remember, they don’t give two shits about whether or not you enjoy yourself. They only care about money.

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Oostylin t1_jbx3udl wrote

This. I was Ubering at the time just trying to stay afloat and when I took a couple to River City Roll and saw the mini-festival taking place I knew our country was fucked.

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rva-fantom t1_jbxcnyx wrote

One part of becoming an adult in Richmond is realizing Shamrock the Block is a shitshow not worth the time or money and realizing Church Hill Irishfest is where it’s at.

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neatlair t1_jbxhm0c wrote

Were not supposed to tell them about our Irish festival - let them stay on the west side

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socoyankee t1_jbxulxd wrote

Haven't been since I did a DD pickup when it first moved to S.A.

Designated Driver, there was no door dash then

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PilgrimRadio t1_jbvy77o wrote

Just wished I'd known about it before I drove over there on a Saturday to go to a store that's in that neighborhood. Couldn't find a parking place, ended up coming home. Oh well, I'm wiser now, hope folks had fun. (I'm new in town by the way, that's why I didn't know about it.)

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RVAVandal t1_jbxdu1q wrote

Don't feel bad, I've been here almost a decade and completely forgot it was happening until I found myself stuck in traffic trying to escape it.

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StarGraz3r84 t1_jbwc68p wrote

I understand if you've never been checking it out once maybe twice. Most people that have lived here long enough just avoid it like the plague.

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SweetBoiDillan t1_jbwiauu wrote

I was in RVA just visiting for a kids' field trip to the Science Museum and when we left around 2pm, there were drovesssss of people walking towards Bow-Tie wearing green. Like FULL sidewalks.

Personally, I like crowds. But if long lines and crowds bother you, I can't see how anyone wouldn't sprint off in the opposite fucking direction.

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lancgo t1_jbxe0sn wrote

Learned my lesson. Went to it knowing nothing about it. Glad I only bought one drink ticket though because I found four more on the ground

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BrinxJob t1_jc0u5dz wrote

The only reason to go to this type of shit.

absolutely not comparing the two, but I found so many drink tickets on the ground at the folk fest this year ahaha

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0136o t1_jbwboy3 wrote

Beeeeeeeeeenn 🗑️

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CrazyLaurel t1_jbxbqr7 wrote

StB is consistently a shitty event, but ppl keep going.

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gregginrva t1_jbx6xj1 wrote

I never go to a street festival unless I have friends who live close, are hosting a pregame, and will leave their place open for restroom breaks and refills.

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RVAWTFBBQ t1_jbxn625 wrote

This is the way. Also why I have very little interest in going to Mardi Gras after having lived in New Orleans just off a parade route, the convenience is gone so the experience will be much worse.

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Cunbundle t1_jby7ed2 wrote

I've visited New Orleans a few times on just some random weekends. It seems like there's plenty of opportunities for drunken mayhem there year round. I can only imagine packing the place with amateur drunks.

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RVAWTFBBQ t1_jbyk77s wrote

>I can only imagine packing the place with amateur drunks.

The worst part were the feral drunken high school students. I don't know if it was just parents getting lit early in the day and forgetting to pay attention to their kids, but literally packs of drunk high schoolers would roam down St. Charles making mayhem. I was in college there so I could handle a few beers, but I was still shocked each year at the sheer level of drunkeness on full display by almost everyone.

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Cunbundle t1_jbxarfn wrote

It's just like St Patrick's Day itself: amateur drunks and riled up cops. No thanks, I'll stay home.

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[deleted] t1_jbxhiqe wrote

Has there been a good one?

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AlphaStrike89 t1_jbxiokv wrote

I mean I remember having fun like 15 years ago in the Bottom when it was on 18th St, it was still a shit show but most St Patrick's Day events are.

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Wulfwai t1_jbwnd2t wrote

I understand everyone saying it’s been disappointing and poorly run for a while, BUT THEY MOVED IT! I thought for sure they would have moved it for a purpose, to try and make it better, but it was actually way worse. That is the most disappointing part, they took the time to change it and made it even worse then it was.

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DefaultSubsAreTerrib t1_jbwv3sj wrote

They moved it for traffic considerations

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stickynohte t1_jbz5ldw wrote

Yes, and then the traffic stayed bad because of people trying to turn onto Leigh just to turn around at Movieland, drunk people crossing the street, etc. Actually saw a moving truck get stuck in the madness as an added bonus.

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mockhouse t1_jbxb7a8 wrote

where was the fight this year? next to the beer line or funnel cake line

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adhforiwnabfit t1_jbxsprl wrote

It’s always going to be a shitshow with lines out the ass, but I agree it seemed even worse than last year. Maybe it’s just selective memory but I recall being able to get tickets and drinks way quicker last year. Also the location on Arthur Ashe was much better imo. My friends and I ended up just walking over to river city roll. Also a shitshow but got drinks way faster, also had live music, and tons of people there that all had the same realization. Worked out pretty well as it was basically just a spillover from shamrock.

All things considered, if you just look at events like this from the standpoint that they’re gonna be a logistical nightmare (which they usually are) then yes you’ll probably hate it. If you kinda just accept that it’s gonna be a pain to get drinks and go to the bathroom, and pregame it well and bring a large group of friends, it can still end up being a really great day. I had a lot of fun!

Edit: a good comparison I’d say was seeing Mt. Joy last fall at browns island. Took like half an hour just to get in. Long drink lines. Not enough port a potties (I think I waited over half an hour to go to the bathroom). At the time I was super frustrated by the whole thing, and obviously going forward there should be changes made. But from the perspective of just enjoying a big event, you kinda just have to take the bad with the good.

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Diet_Coke t1_jbxpg34 wrote

Worst Shamrock the Block ever, until next year

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Skadoosh10 t1_jby2vqo wrote

Once upon a time Shamrock the Block was amazing,When it was downtown on 16th and 17th. There is an actual Irish pub you can go. I feel after this year they should just go ahead and cancel it. Or move it back downtown.

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albertnormandy t1_jby4oxx wrote

It was a shitshow back then too. Waaaayyyy too many people crammed into the Bottom.

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The8thHammer t1_jby7k13 wrote

This is all events of this scale in Richmond. Shamrock, Watermelon, Strawberry Hill, July 4th...

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Plane-Cartoonist162 t1_jbyowg3 wrote

agreed. saw some really good friends there but the boyfriend and i tapped out after about an hour. the cider beer i had was pretty good and was the first beer i ever liked, but i doubt we’ll be back next year or ever.

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Frosty48 t1_jbywb35 wrote

I'd been a few times, but somehow it took going last year for me to realize "hey, ah, this actually kinda sucks ass."

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autotelica t1_jc0976v wrote

Went to the Bowtie yesterday. The guy standing in front of me in the concessions line had bought a ticket just so he could use the restroom--citing the long port-o-potty lines. He offered me the ticket he bought.

When I came out a couple of hours later, they were a bunch of people who were buying tickets at the kiosk. They were all doing their own version of the pee pee dance. I overheard one of them laughingly saying into a cell phone "Yeah, we're up here buying tickets! There ain't nowhere else for us to pee!"

I got on my bike and headed down that side street that Aldi's faces. I saw people peeing behind some dumpsters. There was a river of pee streaming out from underneath it. It was crazy and nasty.

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BrinxJob t1_jc0txaw wrote

Dawg, I work at a restaurant directly in the path of destruction (you know the one,) and I couldn't even piss in my own workplace until maybe 10pm because of the lines. I was advised to go to the alley across the street, which....somehow also had a fucking line. I'm goin' out of town for that weekend next year.

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tiiguebot t1_jcfubsw wrote

I’ll never understand people that don’t bring their own booze to booze events

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fusion260 t1_jcfx6cy wrote

Because that's illegal? Similar to how you're not allowed to drink your own alcohol on a plane that wasn't purchased and served by an employee on that plane; even if you purchased duty free alcohol at the airport terminal, it can't be opened onboard a plane.

There are liability and insurance issues with outside alcohol, too.

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tiiguebot t1_jcgr0db wrote

I guess I am just not really the kind of person that cares about any of that. My primary concern is catching a buzz and if you don’t bring booze to shamrock the block you are only scamming yourself lol

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smellymob t1_jbxx2ik wrote

They were all the worst

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maddmoxxiie t1_jby5n0y wrote

It’s the same pretty much wherever you are. Just stay home and make colcannon and lamb and have a Guinness.

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brandnewkid92 t1_jby8ypg wrote

i’ve never really had a good time until last year tbh. it was the best shamrock the block i’ve attended. probably because i was plastered. i think that’s the trick!

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hoosreadytograduate t1_jbykjj6 wrote

I also know some vendors didn’t set up/didn’t stay because of the insane wind speed, at least in the morning when they had to set up. So it sucked for both vendors and y’all

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HatefulDan t1_jbykl32 wrote

It was definitely worse this year. I’m not a fan of it in general, but enjoy the people watching. I stayed for all of 10 minutes then booed outta there

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ochomurph t1_jbz1sd6 wrote

Yea the new location was terrible this year and everything felt scaled down except for the lines

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dsm5lovechild t1_jbz6yst wrote

I’m not sure why anyone has even decent expectations for events like this.

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stickynohte t1_jbz7lz6 wrote

I think the new location could’ve been okay but when it’s on Blvd, people enter from all side streets and I think it dices up the crowd organically. When everyone approached Leigh from Blvd this year, it created a bottleneck in terms of lines (none of the “let’s walk around and find the beer truck” because you were immediately thrown into its line). We ended up continuing down to the second beer truck and the line was much shorter and got through in 15 minutes (around 2pm).

I will say, closer to the DMV side, the DJ was LOUD.

Also I’m just glad I made the wise decision to get in the bathroom line BEFORE I truly needed it, as that wait was brutal. Found it funny that everyone was ducking behind bushes next to the Bon Secours with the cops posted up directly next to them.

Anyway, it was exactly what I’d expected. People-watching, questionable clothing choices that made me appreciate my jacket for warmth, “where are you” texts to locate people, and subpar beer choices.

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richardson_ra t1_jbz93j4 wrote

I went and bought two drink tickets just to realize it was a shitshow, waited over an hour in line for drinks, almost got in a fight with someone trying to cut, chugged my two drinks, and got the hell out. Never again.

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ResponsibleCheetah41 t1_jbza5zd wrote

I work at bars in shockoe and y’all didn’t make us any money. Fuc u guys (respectfully) our beer was cheap and greeen ☘️🥲

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bruhalle t1_jbzgrx4 wrote

So we're moving it back to the Bottom then?

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Ear_Enthusiast t1_jc08px4 wrote

Yeah, I got an invite from my co-worker. He and I both have 6 year olds and he thought it would be a good time for them. Lol, fuck that. That's the last place I'm taking my kid.

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HickNamby t1_jc0ez2g wrote

Sham walk the line is a test and you failed it by going

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inexcelciusheyoooo t1_jbyfjbx wrote

Not fun without the police brutality, also the move has always been to byob

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KeithMias t1_jbxc1qd wrote

It was honestly fine, you guys are so dramatic

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DamILuvFrogs t1_jbxmlim wrote

I don’t even attend because I can’t stand Richmond

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