On St. Patrick’s Day, Everybody’s Irish!
/“May your glass be ever full. May the roof over your head be always strong. And may you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you’re dead.”
St. Patrick led the parade
We set out early last Saturday morning and headed to Henderson for their annual St. Patrick’s Day Shamrocks and Shenanigans Parade. We’ve attended before, and it’s always fun… partly because of the parade and partly because of the people-watching opportunities. The parade is part of a 3-day festival including a carnival, music, lots of craft kiosks, food vendors, and a classic car show. For me, the parade is the best part. Who doesn’t love a parade?
Brown, black, white… toddlers, teens, Seniors… tall, short, fat, skinny… no matter the nationality, ethnicity, sex, or religion, everyone joins in the wearing of the green because, of course, on St. Patrick’s Day (or the celebration thereof), everybody’s Irish. Henderson, Nevada, is one of the top 10 cities in the U.S. to celebrate the holiday, so we were in good company with an anticipated 50,000+ in attendance.
The wearin’ of the green!
What originated as a Catholic feast day in honor of Ireland’s patron saint is now enjoyed by millions as a secular celebration of all things Irish. According to WalletHub, consumers are projected to spend ~$7 billion to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. That’s a lot of celebrating!
Folks were decked out in all manner of green. Green beer was on sale, along with Guinness, Harp, and Black and Tans. Jameson had a tasting booth. It was 10 am. We gave it a pass.
It was 10 am! We gave the green beer a pass.
The parade began promptly at 10 am, and thousands lined the streets. St. Patrick led the parade and then came pep squads, Irish dancers, modern dancers, old dancers, politicians , cheerleaders, fire engines and police cars - sirens blaring, bagpipers, Scouting America (aka Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts), more politicians, lots of inflatable ducks (???), the Shriners and their funky little cars, the painter’s union (IUPAT), the IBEW (electrical workers), the Teamsters, fun floats, classic cars, corgis, Irish setters, and more politicians. But no marching bands!
The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile joined the celebration. Vikings were represented, as were the Germans, the Scots, the Mexicans, the Star Wars characters, and the Irish, of course. Two hours of parade and no marching bands… no brass, no twelve drummers drumming, no high-stepping baton twirlers.
Nothing makes your spirits soar and gets your blood pumping like a good old John Philip Sousa march. That’s okay… we’re going to a brass band concert tomorrow. Today, it’s all about the Irish.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Slàinte!