By DANI SAFFORD

PAWTUCKET — McCoy Stadium was overrun by a sea of shamrock and bulldog t-shirts early Saturday evening as fans poured in for the Dropkick Murphy and Mighty Mighty Bosstones concert.

Formed in Boston in 1996, the Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys is known primarily for their affiliation with the Boston Red Sox. Their ballpark tour through the Red Sox Minor League system took them to Single-A Lowell, then in Double-A Portland, Maine, prior to Saturday's show in Triple-A Pawtucket along with their ska-punk hometown allies, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones.
Sponsored by the Pawtucket Red Sox, in conjunction with MassConcerts, the all-ages show marked the pre-commencement of the 2008 Pawtucket Arts Festival.
“The PawSox are thrilled to bring these two terrific bands to McCoy Stadium as we kick-off the 2008 Pawtucket Arts Festival,” PawSox president Mike Tamburro said.
Though McCoy Stadium is not generally a venue for musical entertainment, it was the site for the Bob Dylan concert in 2006 and last year’s Counting Crows concert.
“I never thought about seeing a live band at (McCoy Stadium) but with the Dropkicks, it’s the perfect place because they’re huge baseball fans,” said Brian Milton of Attleboro. “It’s great that they came to Pawtucket. I hope I’ll get to see them play “Tessie” at Fenway someday.”
Food and drink stands lined the sides of the field as some pushed their way to the outfield where the stage was assembled while others chose to get comfortable in the seating bowl. The $39 admission fee offered fans the chance to choose their vantage point.
“I’m getting up to the front when the Dropkicks get on stage,” said Erica Santosuasso of Cranston.
When the opening band, all-girl punk group Civet, took the stage, plastic water bottles began flying through the air as the crowd anticipated the headliners.
“My husband is a big fan of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones. He’s been listening to them for as long as I’ve known him,” said East Providence resident Heather Ruolo.
During the performance by the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, front-man Dickie Barrett sang the ensemble’s popular song, “Where’d You Go?” while fans mouthed along to the lyrics, danced or joined in the mosh-pit.
When the Dropkick Murphys filled the stadium with “Tessie,” one of their two unofficial Red Sox anthems, the sounds of the audience singing along nearly drowned out the instruments.
“It was awesome,” Robert Soto of Brockton, Mass. “Even someone who doesn’t really know the Dropkick Murphys always ends up loving their songs for the Red Sox.”
For more information about the Dropkick Murphys or the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, visit www.dropkickmurphys.com or www.bosstonesmusic.com