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March 17 is St Patrick’s Day, a time to wear green, eat green delicacies, and celebrate Irish culture. Although St Patrick’s Day traditions originally hail from the Emerald Isle, many have been enriched by the American Irish. With such fun, colorful customs, this holiday offers something for all, and is a great opportunity to reveal one’s inner Irish side!
St. Patrick was a real person who lived in the 5th century, according to the Almanac. Known as Maewyn Succat, he was born in Britain, and changed his name to Patriciu when he became a priest. His vision was to travel to Ireland to religiously inspire villagers and to spend his life teaching.
According to legend, he died on March 17, 493. He later became a patron saint and was named a national apostle of Ireland. Lore and legends grew around his story, and when Irish immigrants moved to the US, they imported their love of St Paddy, which has since spread across the world.
Be it that pot of gold glimmering at the end of a rainbow, mischievous leprechauns, or fluttering fairies, people simply love taking this one day to embrace the legend of St Patrick. Here are five ways to celebrate all things green on March 17.
Enjoy parades and music
Many cities with a large Irish community hold street parades complete with Irish music, costumes, and dancing. In fact, the first St. Patrick’s Day parade in the American colonies was held in New York City in 1762, according to the Almanac.
Chicago started celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in1846, and by 1860, became the fourth largest American Irish city, according to the Encyclopedia of Chicago. Each year, Chicagoans look forward to watching the Chicago River turn green, followed by a huge parade down Columbus Avenue complete with dancing and bagpipers.
Exciting shamrock-studded parades are held across the world, reported CNN, with colorful parades in Boston, Buffalo, Denver, Dallas, as well as London, Montreal, Montserrat, and Perth. Even festive Munich holds a St. Patrick’s Day parade!
Dress up in green
Did you know that wearing green protects you from leprechauns? Folklore says that mischievous leprechauns like to pinch people, according to National Geographic, however if you wear green, you are invisible to these mythical creatures.
Wearing green is associated with good fortune and is also worn by those who wish to honor their Irish roots.
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Plant peas
The holiday is associated with the start of the growing season, and is the day to plant peas, according to everybody gardens. Irish grandmothers are remembered for reminding their families to ‘always plant your peas on St Patrick’s Day.’
So be it snow, mush, or sleet, it is time to plant this first cool-loving crop in the garden. If you are ready to embrace this green tradition this year, soak the seeds overnight until they are swollen and soft, then place them in the ground and cover. For those in very cold climates, choose March 17 to plant peas indoors in peat pots.
Whichever method you choose, St Patrick’s Day is a reminder to celebrate all things green!
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Green cuisine
Food and drink is always a staple part of celebrating, especially when one is Irish! In the US, people love to commemorate the holiday with a plate of corned beef and cabbage, according to National Geographic.
In Ireland, this day is marked with a meal of Irish beef stew and Irish soda bread, notes Almanac. From breakfast to dinner and all snacks between, Taste of Home has a green recipe for you!
Some green suggestions are pea soup, a leprechaun lime drink that even elves will love, and steamed green beans. For treats and snacks, serve green shamrock cookies and St Patrick’s Day green popcorn.
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Add a dash of magic
A fun and endearing aspect of St Patrick’s Day is the celebration of fairies, shamrocks, and all things magical. As there are 10,000 three-leaf clovers for every four-leaf clover, according to Reader's Digest, finding one is considered to be a sign of good fortune, and everyone appreciates a bit of extra luck.
To get in the St Paddy frame of mind, some people enjoy making good luck charms for themselves and friends. They use glass beads, sequins, shamrocks, shiny stones, and tinkling bells, then place them in a tiny glass flask of green sand, suggested Etsy.
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