Texas-Sized St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations
Do you follow up “Slainte” with “y’all”? Do you put a green band on your Stetson? How about Cavender’s seasoning in your Coddle? Well then you might just be an Irish Texan. With St. Paddy’s Day just around the corner (March 17, y’all), we’ve rounded up the top three celebrations across the Lone Star State you’re not going to want to miss.
So pack up your four-leaf clovers, don some green, and head to one of these authentic, family-friendly events:
1. Texas St. Patrick’s Day Celebration — Shamrock
In case the name didn’t tip you off, this town in the Texas Panhandle is home to the state’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day Celebration. In fact, it is the official St. Patrick’s Day Celebration for the Lone Star State, as signed into law by the Texas House Legislature. While less than 2,000 people reside in Shamrock, come March 17, more than 20,000 folks will make the pilgrimage to the streets of this tiny town to take part in the festivities. This year’s four-day festival begins March 16 and will include a 5K run, a huge St. Paddy’s Day parade, live music, and a chili cook-off (we are still in Texas, after all).
2. St. Paddy’s Day on the River Walk — San Antonio
While you might not immediately associate the Alamo City with celebrating all things Irish, San Antonio’s River Walk keeps things particularly Celtic. Take in the Murphy’s St. Patrick’s Day River Parade & Festival, where onlookers watch river barges cruise along the famed San Antonio River, dyed a lovely shade green and rechristened the River Shannon. Other festivities include Celtic music and cloggers, arts and crafts, and plenty of vendor booths selling their wares.
3. Dublin St. Patrick’s Day Celebration — Dublin
Just a few hours outside of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, the town named after the capital of Ireland goes all out for its annual Irish celebration. After Dublin was designated the official Irish Capital of Texas in 2005, it made sense for Texans to congregate in the small town for St. Patrick’s Day festivities. The family-friendly events include a pageant, carnival, 5K color run, a St. Paddy’s/Mardi Gras-theme parade, vintage car show, dog show, and a bulls-and-broncs event (adding that splash of Lone Star character).
All the Luck
Of course, wearing green clothes and taking part in festivals is only one way to celebrate. You can honor the state’s Irish history wherever you live by churning out a delicious, traditional Irish meal in your very own Texas kitchen. Whatever you do this St. Patrick’s Day, may the luck of the Irish be with you.
© 2018 Texas Farm Bureau Insurance
Image credit: www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com.
