It may have been Friday the 13th, but it was all about the luck ‘o the Irish as the annual St. Patrick’s Day Block Party kicked off at The Wooden Match.

The festivities that feted the wearin ‘o’ the green March 13-14 featured Irish music, food and beer trucks, games and outdoor bars, cigars and live music.

The management team of The Wooden Match and Artisan Wine and Cheese Cellars – Rick and his wife Glennie as well as Younise – were happy for the participation of local food trucks and vendors.

“As The Wooden Match and Artisan Wine and Cheese Cellars family, we support local, small businesses,” the trio said.

Vincent Randazzo owns both eateries, which share the same menu, kitchen and staff.

This year marked the first time Norman and Jill Matthews brought their Dinky’s Sliders and Ice Cream Snack Shack to St. Pat’s at The Wooden Match, and were glad they did.

“It’s a lovely event they put on, getting locals out to sell their products,” Jill Matthews said. “It’s a great place. They make you feel relaxed, like part of the family when you’re here, not stressed. They make you feel very welcome.”

Matthews said their Bangor-based business gets its name from her husband, who was nicknamed “Mr. Dinky” since he was a baby.

The couple were proprietors of the former Dinky’s Ice Cream Parlor and Grille on East Third Street on the Southside, and got their food truck rolling three years ago. They specialize in sliders and “Bangin” – a nod to Bangor – offerings, which are made of a base with added cheese, pulled pork, baked beans and coleslaw.

Dinky’s makes the rounds of festivals and fairs, and does catering and private events. “I like getting out and meeting the people,” Norman Matthews said.

Dinky’s works with hospitals for events such as Nurses Week and employee appreciation events, and sometimes sets up shop from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. for a hospital’s night shift crew. They work with schools for fundraisers, including Lehigh University and Lafayette College, Easton.

Jill Matthews especially noted Lehigh University’s Faux Friday, during which the school gives freshmen tickets to visit local restaurants – and enjoy ice cream at Dinky’s.

“I’m happy to be part of this – it’s fun to see people,” Chrissy Maag, owner of Bethlum Shop, said.

Maag makes Bethlum merchandise as a nod to how many people pronounce the city’s name.

“I make fun T-shirts,” Maag said. There are also hoodies, knit hats, coffee mugs and other items available on her Etsy shop.

“My Hometown” at the Bethlum Shop was designed by Maag to commemorate Bethlehem’s Main Street being named the Best Main Street in the USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards in 2025, and features places that are touchstones of the Christmas City.

Maag sets up shop at The Wooden Match during Celtic Classic and “Match Fest” – held during Musikfest – and also sells her unique Bethlum brand in pop-ups in stores.

Greenberg Lemus, owner of La Cocina Del Abuelo (Grandpa’s Kitchen), once again brought his authentic Mexican cuisine to St. Patrick’s at The Wooden Match, where Grandpa’s Kitchen also participates at the annual Cinco de Mayo Block Party in May.

The eatery has recently expanded its presence into the Christmas City. While still operating at the original location at 621 W. Hamilton St., Allentown, “we just opened a second location at 81 W. Broad St. in January,” Lemus said.

The Wooden Match’s first block party of the year offered tasty offerings to nosh on from La Cocina del Abuelo (Grandpa’s Kitchen) and Dinky’s Sliders and Ice Cream Snack Shack.

Vendors included Bethlum Shop, Just Peachy by Michelle, This ‘Lil Shoppe of Mine, Mod Metal Works, Bizzle Bites and The Wooden Match Cigar Tent.

Musical artists on tap included Wild Clovers, Shark Acoustic Duo, Sons of Phelan, D.J. Carlos Merwin and DJ Jamal Knight.

The Artisan Wine Bar featured music from Jay Lapp, A Joe and A Jane and SecondWynd.

The Wooden Match at 61 W. Lehigh St. was also a popular spot for folks to visit March 14 after the annual Parade of Shamrocks hosted by the Celtic Cultural Alliance.