Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in the Twin Cities
Monday, March 16th, 2015
History of St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s day celebrates the Roman Catholic feast day of the eponymous patron saint of Ireland, who died on March 17, 461. St. Patrick was actually born in Roman Britain, and he was brought to Ireland as a slave. He escaped to a monastery in France, where he converted to Christianity and decided to go back to Ireland in 432 as a missionary. He then helped spread Christianity across Ireland and later became a bishop.
St. Patrick was named Ireland’s patron saint after his death. Celebrations in Ireland were rather small and understated at the time. And it wasn’t until many Irish immigrated to the U.S. that the Irish started having larger celebrations and traditions as a way to connect with their Irish roots. Today the Irish and Irish-at-heart everywhere celebrate the Irish culture on St. Patrick’s Day in many ways including parades, dancing, wearing green, and of course eating lots of traditional Irish food.
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in the Twin Cities
Kickin’ It Irish at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres @ 8pm
March 16, 2015
Get your St. Patrick’s Day celebrating started early with professional Irish dancing! The Chanhassen Dinner Theatre is hosting an evening with Irish tunes and Irish professional dancers featuring a Dublin native, Cormac O’se from the original company of Riverdance and a lineup of 18 World Championship dancers.
For more information visit: www.chanhassentheatres.com
St. Paul’s 49th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 17, 2015
Parade begins at 12 noon in downtown St. Paul. The best place to watch the parade is at Rice Park or outside the Landmark Center. Before or after the parade, head into the Landmark center for an Irish celebration for the whole family!
Landmark Center Irish Celebration (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
Landmark Center: 75 W 5th Street downtown St. Paul
Irish Music & Dance Association’s 34th annual St. Patrick’s Day Irish Celebration
March 17, 2015
Features Irish entertainment, Irish dance, Celtic vendors, Irish cuisine, pipe bands, and children’s crafts and entertainment.
Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for kids 5-12
For more information on both of the events in St. Paul on March 17, 2015 visit: http://www.visitsaintpaul.com/Lucky
Transportation
For those planning on celebrating St. Paddy’s Day at Twin Cities bars and restaurants, Metro Transit and MillerCoors have teamed up to offer free rides. The buses, light-rail, and Northstar train will be free from 6:00 p.m. Tuesday night to 3:00 a.m. Wednesday morning. Check out metrotransit.org/millerfreerides to plan your safe trip out.
St. Patrick’s Day Recipes
Non-Alcoholic Green St. Patty’s Drink
- Green Lime Kool Aid-prepared per package directions
- Sprite
Simply freeze the prepared Green Kool Aid and freeze it in ice cube trays. Then put the green ice cubes in a glass and pour sprite over the cubes and serve. It is a fun, family-friendly green drink that gets even more flavor as the cubes melt!
Crock Pot Reuben Sandwiches
- 1 8 oz. package of cream cheese
- 1/2 bottle (about 8 oz.) of thousand Island Dressing
- 3-4 packages of Corned Beef (I use Carl Buddig)
Place cream cheese, thousand island dressing, and corned beef in a crock pot. Cook on high for at least 30-45 minutes or until thickened. Serve on bread or crackers with sauerkraut or without. Eating this on pretzel bread is amazing!
