A&B’s 43rd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration and LongBeard Contest Benefits Derek’s Dreams

Fifteen men from the Princeton area are competing for bragging rights in the A&B’s annual LongBeard contest, one of the highlights of the bar’s annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

A special St. Patrick’s Day menu with Irish dishes that range from corned beef to shepherd’s pie to salmon will be served on March 17. At 5 p.m., a bagpiper will lead the way into the pub, where entertainment will include fine Irish tunes by Langaroo and high stepping Irish dancers. This year, a $5 admission fee will be charged

Winners of the LongBeard Contest will then be announced. Beards will be measured by the staff of Mike’s Barbershop. Prizes will be given for the longest, handsomest, ugliest and most innovative beards.

The 43rd annual St. Patrick’s Day party will benefit Derek’s Dreams.

derek's dreams
Derek DiGregorio (r).

Derek DiGregorio, a senior at Princeton High School, suffers from a rare condition called Ataxia Telangiectasia. But the disease has not kept him from participating in sports, including football and martial arts.

The organization named after DiGregorio, Derek’s Dreams, raises awareness about the rare, aggressive genetic disease that affects about 600 Americans. The group works with various organizations to raise awareness and support research efforts.

During the weeks leading up to St. Patrick’s Day, the A&B will hold special events to celebrate Irish spirit and spirits. Instead of taking donations for Derek’s Dreams at the bar and having guests write on paper shamrocks this year, supporters will be asked to donate online. Murphy’s will donate a dollar to Derek’s Dreams for every Murphy’s Irish Red sold between now and St. Patrick’s Day.

The Alchemist & Barrister is located at 29 Witherspoon Street in downtown Princeton. For more information, visit the A&B’s website.

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Krystal Knapp is the founding editor of Planet Princeton. Follow her on Twitter @krystalknapp. She can be reached via email at editor AT planetprinceton.com. Send all letters to the editor and press releases to that email address.