On Monday, March 17, the streets will be filled with people dressed in green to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. This holiday honors St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Originally a religious feast day, it has since evolved into a global celebration of Irish culture, featuring parades, music, food, and plenty of green.
Boston has long claimed to have hosted the first St Patrick’s Day celebration in America in 1737, when dozens of Presbyterians who had emigrated from Northern Ireland gathered to honor St Patrick. Green has been associated with Ireland for centuries, as the country is often called “The Emerald Isle” due to its lush landscapes. Wearing green on St Patrick’s Day is a long-standing tradition, rooted in the belief that it makes you invisible to leprechauns, who are said to pinch anyone they can see.
Many celebrate by attending parades, with some of the largest taking place in Dublin, New York, and Boston. However, local celebrations also abound. In Montgomery County, Gaithersburg will be hosting its 23rd annual parade on Saturday, March 15th, starting at 10 a.m. along Rio Boulevard and Grand Corner Avenue. In the past years, the parade has featured bagpipe bands, school groups, Celtic dancers, clowns, fire trucks, and more.
Traditional Irish foods like corned beef and cabbage are commonly enjoyed on this day, along with green-dyed beverages and treats. Irish folk music, featuring instruments such as fiddles, flutes, and bagpipes, can be heard throughout the festival, often accompanied by Irish step-dancing.
