St. Patrick’s Day Hits The White House
Even the President of the United States gets involved in the St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Every year since 2009, the north White House fountain has been dyed green for the occasion. In addition, Washington D.C. hosts a one-day music festival called National ShamrockFest that draws in approximately 40,000 visitors.
Marathon Running for St. Patrick’s Day in Virginia Beach
For most, only the promise of ice-cold beer and parties could get anyone to run a full 26.2 mile marathon on St. Patrick’s Day.
The Virginia Beach Shamrock Marathon is a popular, charity-driven yearly tradition that began in 1973. Those of strong spirit run the marathon to begin their St. Patrick’s celebrations, while those less driven watch from the sidelines, and join in on the party when the race has concluded. There are also several shorter races for those who can’t muster a marathon. What’s the deal with the shamrocks? Saint Patrick used the three-leaved shamrock to better explain the Holy Trinity to the Irish pagans in a period of transition.
St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin, Ireland
Last but not least is the country where it all began; you can’t leave Dublin, Ireland out of a list of St. Patrick’s Day traditions. The Dublin parade is as large as it is multifaceted.
Visitors travel from around the world to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin. The one-and-a-half mile parade kicks off a four-day festival, and is a truly national celebration, with over a half million people in attendance.
The pageantry is only surpassed by the history, with the parade route ending at the iconic St. Patrick’s cathedral. Nearly everyone is involved in this day’s festivities – from celebrities to farmers, to business people and small children. There is definitely no shortage of pride during this beautiful country’s national holiday, which officially hit the books in 1903.
