CALEB NICKERSON
QUYON March 11, 2018
On March 11, Quyon was hopping.
Cars lined the streets and people in various states of sobriety, adorned in various shades of green, made their way along the sidewalk. Their destination was Gavan’s Hotel, and the annual St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Inside, the main lounge was an ocean of Irish iconography, and wall to wall people. Owner Nick Matechuk explained that the party has been going on for over 60 years, and the focus has always been the music. Well, that and the green beer.
He explained that they had a plethora of local musicians and dancers come out to perform.

“The lounge is the formal thing, where Gail Gavan is our host for the day and she keeps the crowd going and everything,” he said. “Before performers go on stage, or after, they go to the small bar and have a jam session. Anybody that wants to play can grab a guitar and just go to ‘er.”
Matechuk said that the party attracts people from all over. Some book buses and drive over from Ontario. He explained that the event takes place the Sunday before March 17 every year, to ensure the best possible musical lineup, as performers are in high demand on the official date.
Whatever the reasoning, the locals don’t seem to mind celebrating the holiday twice.
“It’s one beautiful party, for anyone that wants to experience a large group of people,” Matechuk said, when asked for a reason for the party’s popularity. “There’s no problems, everybody’s there for a good time. They keep coming back.”