We celebrate St. Patrick’s Day all across the globe from the heart of Ireland to the heart of the United States where particular cities take the tradition to new heights every year with a parade. Boston, New York City, New Orleans, and Chicago all host large parades for St. Patrick’s Day as I am sure other U.S. cities do.
Chicago hosts one of the most famous parades because they dye the Chicago River green for the day. The formula does not hurt the water and eventually fades and no one really knows what is in it except for those who make it. 
Every year this event falls on a Saturday and it will go on regardless of the weather conditions. The city gets behind this event full force by hosting fundraisers beforehand and they even have a queen and a Grand Marshall for the festivities each year. They televise the events and hold the parade on a Saturday every year so it will always fall the Saturday before the holiday occurs.
What you can expect to see besides seeing the river change to green are many marching bands playing bagpipes, dancing troupes to Irish dance and other groups of Irish Americans marching in the parade dressed in Irish uniforms and attire. Whatever city or country you may decide to catch a parade in there will most certainly be many local taverns, restaurants and businesses that will be featuring cuisine and dishes uniquely and specifically for the holiday and festivities. In the U.S. it is a fun tradition to find green beer for the day or for the weekend.
When you are looking for something to eat and to escape from the chill one could find ‘Guiness’ corned beef, Irish soda bread, Irish Chicken and Dumplings or even a nice lamb stew.
Some interesting desserts that could be found for a day like this would be a bottle of Original Irish Cream, Irish Cream Chocolate Cheesecake, Irish Soda Bread, Irish Potato Candy and more. It is clear the Irish like to incorporate all ingredients at their disposal into every meal that they make and to make the most of them.
If you do happen to go to a parade this year, be sure to bring a camera with you, something warm to wear and take plenty of pictures to keep with you as souvenirs.
You will most likely leave feeling in better spirits and feeling a little bit luckier and certainly not any hungrier. Like the luck of the Irish and like St. Patrick himself you may find yourself feeling much better off which I think is the point of these celebrations. St. Patrick had been finally freed from years of slavery so these feelings would surely be fitting.
