St. Patty’s Day Traditions
By: Kaylee Beattie
Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated every March 17th with green, shamrocks, leprechauns and of course lots and lots of drinking. Many people celebrate their Irish heritage on this day and some just enjoy the festivities. So what are some of the biggest traditions people have when it comes to this day?
Drinking! Many people celebrate (or use the excuse of) St. Patty’s to down their favorite beers – clearly just to celebrate their Irish heritage. I asked my father, who is not Irish AT ALL, what his favorite St. Patty’s drink was, with which he responded, “Guinness beer, of course!” He claims, “It’s my drink of choice on St. Patty’s day!”
Pinching! Supposedly, if you don’t wear green on St. Patty’s day, you better keep your eyes peeled for pinchers! My mom, who is a sixth grade teacher says, “I make sure I wear green every year on this day simply so I don’t get pinched. Some of my students this year forgot to wear green and to avoid getting pinched, they taped green construction paper to their shirts! It’s clearly a serious matter,” she said with a laugh.
Corned Beef and Cabbage! This traditional meal has been cooking in my mom’s crockpot all day long, which is something she has done since I can remember. Although this classic meal is becoming more American than Irish, many people use this day to eat one of their favorite. “My mother made corned beef and cabbage every year for St. Patty’s and it is one of my most favorite traditions to keep carrying on!”
My mother’s famous corned beef and cabbage cooking away.
Parades, Parties and other celebrations! St. Patty’s Day is a day to celebrate, no matter which way you prefer. St. Patty’s day parades turn streets green in places like NYC, Boston and even Philadelphia. Chicago goes all out and even dyes their river bright green. People dress in green, wear their shamrocks and grab a beer and head to the streets to watch the magic unfold!
St. Patrick’s Day is a day for celebrating. So grab your green and remember, “everyone’s Irish on march 17!”