It’s March, and for many people in Rhode Island, that means shamrocks, leprechauns, the Irish flag, green beer, and of course, the most popular traditional m corned beef and cabbage. All these things are related to the celebration of Saint Patrick, the and the primary patron saint of Ireland, and fifth-century Romano-British Christian missionary,
The celebration of St. Patrick’s Day in the United States has a long history, and when it comes to parades, Boston is credited with having the first official St. Patrick’s Day parade as early as 1737, and New York beginning its city’s celebration in 1766. Philadelphia and Baltimore followed in the late 1700’s. During the period of Westward Expansion, St. Patrick’s Day parades began appearing in St. Louis in the early 1800s, and in San Francisco in the middle of the nineteenth century.
While the Irish in Newport began parading on St. Patrick’s Day through the streets of that town as early as 1842, it was not until 1852, that the first public St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in Providence,
This year, the Providence Saint Patrick’s Day Parade will be taking place on March 8. It is free, of course, and it will begin at noon, starting on Smith Street and Hilltop Avenue. The parade will proceed eastwards on Smith Street, and end at the Rhode Island State House.
James P. Riley will be the Grand Marshal. Riley, a labor union organizer and philanthropist, is also a member of the Providence St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, where he serves as the event’s ‘Official Voice.’
This early in March, be prepared for a cold day and dress warmly, including bringing a hat and gloves. However, this is New England, so it may just as well be a sunny day, in which case you’ll want to bring sunglasses, suntan lotion, and a hat. The parade will go on rain, shine, or snow. And of course, it is traditional to be dressed in green, along with some orange and white, the colors of the Irish flag.
But the Providence Saint Patrick’s Day Parade isn’t the only event going on this month.
On March 16, The Shamrock Tenors, Ireland’s most exciting new music sensation, will be performing at The Vets. The group, proudly supported by Tourism Ireland, features talented vocalists, including brothers Raymond and Jack Walsh and showcases a blend of smooth tenor vocals with the country’s best multi-instrumentalists. Their show takes you on a journey through Ireland’s most beloved classic songs in beautiful five-part harmony. You’ll hear all your favorite Irish songs, including “Danny Boy,” “Whiskey in the Jar,” “The Parting Glass,” and “Wild Rover,” in a show for all ages, performed with that cheeky Irish charm.
There will, of course, be a lot of beer being consumed this month, green and otherwise. It may not be such a coincidence that March 7-16 is Rhode Island Craft Beer Week. Over these ten days, the state will be celebrating our local beer manufacturers with special events and promotions at your favorite bars, restaurants, package stores, and the more than thirty-five breweries around the state. Experience taproom events, attend special beer releases at the breweries, and earn Rhode Island Brewers Guild merchandise with double stamp points awarded using the RI Brewery Passport app.
To find out more about the daily events and the RI Brewery passport app, visit https://www.ribrewersguild.org/craftbeerweek.
Study the calendar of events, gather your crew, and get ready to follow the Rhode to great beer.
