Marlene Lucas, house manager of the Marvin Community House in Jamestown, is pictured Tuesday morning with some corned beef that will be prepared and made available for purchase this week. Several local restaurants and pubs are offering the traditional St. Patrick’s Day meal this year. P-J photo by Eric Tichy

For years the city of Jamestown has dyed the Chadakoin River green — a colorful nod to St. Patrick’s Day that has drawn dozens of area residents near the downtown area. But like most events tied to holidays in 2020, the annual March gathering was canceled due to early concerns of COVID-19 and its potential for spread of the virus.

With a COVID-19 vaccination rollout that has delivered doses to more than 22% of the Chautauqua County population, some traditions and events are slowly returning. That includes serving up corned beef and cabbage and — at the local level — the “Turn the River Green” event in Jamestown, slated to begin Saturday at 11 a.m. in the JAMA parking lot.

The early days of the pandemic forced the city to cancel the event, in which dye is added to the river to create the shamrock green color akin to what is done to the Chicago River each year. It’s typically a large draw in Jamestown, and due to a ban on gatherings over 50 people in place last year, the city had to forgo its plans.

Many of those restrictions have since been eased — paving the way for many outdoor gatherings to return.

“Turning the River Green is a proud Jamestown tradition that we are happy to be continuing after last year’s cancellation,” Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist said in a news release. “Due to the nature of the event being outdoors and the ability to easily socially distance, we thought that this was an excellent opportunity to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in a safe, responsible manner.”

P-J file photo

Those attending Saturday are asked to wear a face mask and remain socially distanced.

Other St. Patrick’s Day traditions will be served up as well around the holiday. The Marvin Community House in Jamestown is offering take-out meals Thursday that will include corned beef and cabbage. On Tuesday, Marlene Lucas, Marvin House manager, was busy making Irish soda bread and prepping several packages of corned beef.

Coughlan’s Pub, 47 W. Main St., Fredonia, will open at 8 a.m. with Irish music playing all day long. All rules for social distancing and masks will be followed. The pub will be serving food from Duper’s and Domus Fare and will be selling their cups, shirts and sweatshirts as usual.

“We are being cautious this year,” said Joe Coughlan. “We just wish everyone a safe and happy St. Patrick’s Day.”

The AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary 726 will host a dinner from 2-6 p.m. or until sold out Saturday, March 27, at the ILS Veterans Club, 364 Fluvanna Ave., Jamestown. The ladies will be serving a choice of two fresh-cooked dinners: corned beef and cabbage and chicken and biscuits including dessert. The cost of the dinner is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 11 and under.

Marlene Lucas of the Marvin Community House is pictured with a tray of St. Patrick’s Day-themed cookies. P-J photo by Eric Tichy

All of the proceeds will be donated to a fund set up to repair the USS The Sullivans, a World War II guided missile destroyer moored at the Buffalo Naval and Military Park, which is taking on water and in danger of sinking.