St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is one of Christianity's most widely known figures. But for all his celebrity, his life remains somewhat of a mystery. Many of the stories traditionally associated with St. Patrick, including the famous account of his banishing all the snakes from Ireland, are false, the products of hundreds of years of exaggerated storytelling.
Today, St. Patrick's Day is celebrated by people of all backgrounds in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Although North America is home to the largest celebrations, St. Patrick's Day has been honored in other locations far from Ireland, including Japan, Singapore, and Russia. Here are some of the most popular St. Paddy’s Day celebration destinations in the U.S.:
Savannah, GA
Savannah's St. Patrick's Day celebration is the city's largest annual gathering. Compared by many to a Mardi Gras celebration, Savannah's St. Patrick's Day festivities attract roughly 400,000 Irish and “honorary” Irish visitors each year. Popular events include the traditional Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade, a packed street festival along historic River Street, as well as parties at City Market with live entertainment and many other celebrations, including green-dyed fountains.
Chicago, IL
A city with strong Irish roots, Chicago comes alive with its annual St. Patrick’s Day festivities. Come rain, snow or shine, the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade is always held the Saturday before March 17 (if St. Patrick’s Day is not on a Saturday) and begins at noon. The Parade route begins on the corner of Columbus Drive and Balbo. A tradition since 1962, the dyeing of the Chicago River starts at 10:45 a.m. the day of the parade with ideal viewing areas at the intersection of Michigan Avenue, Wacker Drive and the river.
New York City, NY
Home of the world’s very first (1766) and largest (150,000 participants and 3 million spectators). New York City’s St Patrick’s Day parade is always held on March 17 and lasts about five hours. The city’s largest parade marches up 5th Avenue, from 44th to 86th streets starting at 11:00 a.m. St. Patrick's Day is serious business in New York City. Even non-Irish New Yorkers Wear the Green, drink Guinness and get excited about the St. Patrick's Day Parade. In NYC, you will see green beers, green bagels, green water fountains, and even a green Empire State Building!
Boston, MA
Even if you don't live in Southie and your name isn't O’Donnell, Casey or Shannon — you're Irish by association on St. Patrick's Day in Boston, which is draws more than 500,000 visitors to the city with a long-standing Irish tradition. Boston held America's first St. Patrick's Day celebration in 1737, and the city still boasts one of the nation's largest St. Patrick's Day parades. Join the estimated 600,000 people who will attend the annual parade, which starts at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, 2009 beginning at the Broadway MBTA station and ending in Andrew Square. Your best bet for viewing the parade is to stake out a spot anywhere along Broadway and arrive early. The three-hour parade features floats and dozens of marching bands and pipe bands from Ireland and the U.S.
Atlanta, GA
With more than 1 million Atlanta residents claiming Irish ancestry, Atlanta ranks as the 7th largest “Irish City” in North America. The Georgians host two weeks worth of St. Patrick’s Day festivities kicking off with Lucky Fest, beginning March 7, and then culminates with Atlanta’s biggest street party. The annual parade, which has been held since 1858, will be held on March 4 at noon and includes more than 200 entries. The route is 1.1 miles from the start at Ralph McGill to the end at Martin Luther King at Underground. Get there early for good seats, and be sure to stop by Fado Irish Pub for a pint.
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