Celebrate St. Paddy’s Day
Celebrate St. Paddy’s Day
A ligean Ar Pháirtí (Let’s Party in Gaelic) Let’s Have a Little Bit of St. Patrick’s Day Fun
An annual event to turn the Chadakoin River green is always well attended. The river’s color is changed to recognize St. Patrick’s Day by the city Board of Public Utilities. Many residents and their pets dress up in their Irish finery just for the occasion. Photos by Kristin Johnson, Post Journal
With St. Patrick’s Day right around the corner, I’m sure you have green beer, bar counters and parades doing a jig in your head. Everyone is Irish on St. Paddy’s Day, as they say, which is pretty fitting considering the man himself wasn’t actually Irish. (That’s right, he was Roman British.) Did that fact surprise you? Well, let's see a little more fun facts about the man and the day and then turn to what’s happening here in the present when we all do a little celebrating on March 17th.
A LITTLE HISTORY
Let’s start at the beginning, like all good stories should. So yes, “Saint Patrick” was born in Roman Britain and was kidnapped by pirates (yes, actual pirates) at the age of 16 and brought to Ireland as a slave. He later escaped Ireland and returned to his homeland and studied to become a missionary. He returned to Ireland later in life to spread Christianity to the people, something he’s been long accredited for and became the 1st Bishop of Ireland.
Why did I air quote his name? First, no one is actually sure that Patrick is his real name (some people think its Maewyn Succat. Try saying that 10x fast). It’s never been discovered, and second, he wasn’t actually ordained as a Saint, which is why they call him a “Patron Saint” because he isn’t really an official one.
St. Patrick’s Day was originally meant as a holy day to honor the man’s life with a feast, also known as the Feast of St. Patrick. (Typically during lent, the Catholic Church prohibits the eating of meat but the ban is lifted for this particular day only.) It was switched over to an official Irish holiday in 1903. Traditionally, Catholic families go to church in the morning and then eat a meal that consists of cabbage and Irish bacon. Other traditional foods would be the prerequisite corned beef and cabbage, Irish soda bread and shepherd’s pie.
A LITTLE TRIVIA
Want some fun facts? Well, this was a dry holiday once. (Hard to picture right?) It was a religious observance before it became a holiday and, up until the 1960s, there were laws that forbid bars from even being open that day. The only place you could grab a stiff drink or a pint of Guinness from 1927-1961 in Ireland was The RDS Dog Show. Oh, and the official color isn’t the grassy green we’ve all come to know and love during the month of March - it’s actually blue. The color changed in 1798, the year of the Irish Rebellion to reflect the colors of the Irish flag in their honor.
The first St. Patrick’s Day parade took place in America (and not in Ireland) in St. Augustine, Florida of all places in the year of 1601. Dublin’s first official St. Patrick’s Day celebration was in 1931. New York City’s parade is the world’s oldest civilian parade and the largest in the U.S. Each year, 5.5 million people visit New York’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The annual Shamrock Ceremony at the White House didn’t start until 1952.
Chicago began its yearly tradition of turning the river green on St. Patrick’s Day in 1962. It takes over forty pounds of green vegetable dye to make the illusion work for the short while it lasts.
Bet you can’t guess the costume that is most worn for St. Paddy’s?! If you guessed leprechaun, you’re spot on boyo. Side note: if you aren’t rocking your green that means you get a pinch because the leprechauns can see you if you aren’t wearing it. Thought to hold the “luck of the Irish” and hide pots of gold at the end of the rainbow, legend has it if you were ever lucky enough to catch the mischievous little critter, it would have to grant you three wishes.
There’s so much more we could mention, like the fact that large famous landmarks around the world, like the Great Wall of China, the Roman Colosseum and the Empire State Building in NY are all lit up green to celebrate or that there is a myth that “Saint Patrick” chased all the snakes out of Ireland into the sea. (Not that Ireland is a land where many snakes even live, but that’s besides the point.) If you are interested in more fun facts, let me direct you to history.com or time.com.
A LITTLE PRESENT DAY FUN
Now, let’s twirl our focus back to the present and see what there is to do around our area for St. Paddy’s weekend.
Starting with HoliMont Resort, they are hosting a Torchlight Parade on March 15th, starting at 7:00pm. It’s their way of celebrating Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day and their HoliBreak all at the same time. This dusk parade is open to everyone but you do have to be able to ski down the Exhibition hill unassisted and everyone 7-years-old or younger must be accompanied by a guardian. The chairlift line opens at 7:00pm and the parade officially starts at 7:45pm. Also, if you happen to stay overnight, you can watch the 3rd Annual Dummy Downhill that ’s happening on the 16th at 11:00am on Sunset.
Holiday Valley Resort is just being it’s awesome self on the 15th, but on the 16th, they are introducing their brand new uphill touring event, the UppenOvr, in collaboration with HoliMont. Participants will journey up from Yodeler Lodge over the Tannenbaum and Spruce Line trails to Spruce Lake then making their way across HoliMont they will race down Sunset. Then once at the bottom, will turn around and back track their way to Yodeler. Guests can choose competitive or a just-for-fun pace. And after conquering the terrain, a much deserved post-event party will be awaiting participants inside the lodge. (This event supports the Empire State Ride Team, which benefits the Roswell Park Canter Center.)
Even if you don’t like alcohol (I’m sorry), you can still get your St. Pat’s drink on at Ellicottville Coffee Company. Keep an eye on their Facebook for their St. Paddy’s Day seasonal menu drop. And of course, if you miss a visit to Madigan’s, Ellicottville’s favorite party bar, can you even be local and call yourself Irish?
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to do a little feasting this St. Patrick’s Day and support a good cause while you’re at it. Connecting Communities in Action is hosting their 4th annual Pot O’ Gold Soup Fundraiser on March 15th. (More details on this event can be found in the full article, also in this issue.)
The Little Valley Memorial Library is hosting a Leprechaun Hunt on March 16th at 11:00am. This event is geared for ages 2-12 but everyone is welcome. Embark on an exciting hunt through the library, and if you manage to spot one of those little imps, you could be in for a prize! Then join them for a delightful magical book reading session. There will be a crafting corner after the hunt and story time. Light refreshments will also be offered. Visit the Little Valley Memorial Library’s event page for full details.
This weekend isn’t just St. Paddy’s weekend. It’s also NYS Maple Weekend, so hit up one of the purveyors of tasty tree syrup and grab a jug or two to sweeten up your Irish Whiskey. Or purchase some other snacks and treats to include in your own Feast of St. Patrick.
If you are up for a bit of traveling, I’d suggest hopping a rainbow over to Jamestown, NY on March 16th at 10:00am when people will be coming out to Brooklyn Square at the Chadakoin River Walk for some fun activities, kids games, live music and then watching the river turn green starting at 11:00am. Jamestown’s own Lucky the Leprechaun will also make an appearance.
No matter how or where you choose to celebrate, remember to wear your green, have a bit of Guinness (or maybe a Shamrock Shake from McDonalds), eat a little corned beef and cabbage and have a great time. We’re all a little Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. Sláinte! A ligean ar pháirtí! Cheers and let’s party!
