St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the US
St. Patrick’s Day observes of the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. The holiday has evolved into a celebration of Irish culture with parades, special foods, music, dancing, drinking and a whole lot of green. While not a legal holiday in the United States, is nonetheless widely recognized and observed throughout the country as a celebration of Irish and Irish-American culture. Celebrations include prominent displays of the color green, religious observances, numerous parades, and copious consumption of alcohol. The holiday has been celebrated in North America since the late 18th century.
On St Patrick’s Day, it is customary to wear shamrocks, green clothing or green accessories. St. Patrick is said to have used the shamrock, a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish. If you don’t wear green on St. Patrick’s Day, prepare to be pinched. An old Irish legend has it that those who wear green are invisible to leprechaun’s, those fairy creatures who randomly pinch people no matter what color they’re wearing.
The earliest parade was held in the 1760s in New York City by Irishmen serving there in the British military. Today, cities across the U.S. have longstanding traditions of St. Patrick’s Day parades, and the holiday is commemorated by people of many ethnic backgrounds. However, in Ireland, where St. Patrick’s Day has been a religious feast day since the 17th century and a public holiday since 1903, it wasn’t until the late 20th century that the government started sponsoring a large-scale, international festival and parade in Dublin, the capital city.
Popular foods eaten on St. Patrick’s Day
- Corned beef and cabbage might be one of the most popular dishes to eat on St. Patrick’s Day.
- Shepherd’s Pie – a comforting main dish that is the stick-to-your-ribs cure on any cold winter night, Shepherd’s Pie, is a go-to. Mashed potato topping, plus a good sprinkling of cheddar, over a meaty (lamb or beef) base fortified with dark beer for super-rich flavor.
- Irish stew – made with lamb, mutton, or goat cabbage and potatoes.
- Colcannon – the traditional Irish side is made with mashed potatoes and cabbage.
- Irish Soda Bread – easy-to-make Irish Soda Bread can be enjoyed year round, perhaps with a touch of orange zest and currants.
- Unlike shamrock pins and green beer, Guinness drinking really is a longstanding tradition in Ireland.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Watson Lake Inn
Stay local – eat local at Watson Lake Inn and choose from one of our four suites for your stay in the Granite Dells. Indulge in a memorable experience and culinary discovery. And now you can experience a natural room which protects you! An indoor environment in harmony with nature through Memon technology that works in many ways. Holistic comfort that our guests can feel!
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