Today, March 17, a holiday full of gold and green St. Patrick’s Day.
This is a day out of the year to go all out wearing green and celebrating this old time holiday.
The history behind St. Pat’s day is very interesting. The reason it’s today is because it marks the death of St. Patrick and was chosen as an official Christian feast day observed by a Catholic Church. The wearing of the green tradition dates back to a story written about St. Patrick in 1726.
St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, but he was born in England. At age 16 he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and carried into slavery in Ireland, but escaped 6 years later after a dream.
St. Patrick went to Ireland and brought Christianity to parts of Ireland and was partly responsible for the Christianization of the Picts and Anglo-Saxons. He preached and converted all of Ireland for 40 years.
The U.S.A celebrates St. Patrick’s day by displaying shamrocks, leprechauns, parades, and all things green. Near Bellwood in Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, residents celebrate St. Patrick’s Day early with Irish music, dancing at parade.
More than 20,000 people took over the streets in Center City for the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade.
Locally, those looking to celebrate St. Patrick’s day could attend the annual Hibernian Banquet at the Bavarian Hall in Altoona or spend the day at the Irish Heritage Festival in downtown Tyrone March 15 and 16. The festival includes games, a parade, food vendors, and fireworks Saturday night.
