Go Green in South Boston

St. Patrick's Day is only a week away and it's time to start planning the party. This is my favorite holiday of the year because that little bit of Irish blood I have takes over the rest of my melting pot genes and says "Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh!" ("St. Patrick's Day blessing opun you"). Americans of all nationalities, backgrounds and races have taken this one day in March and claimed it as their own, making it one of the biggest parties of the year. The celebration began in the U.S. in 1737, hosted by the Charitable Irish Society of Boston. These Irish immigrants wanted to continue to celebrate the day in honor of Ireland's patron saint.

This leads me to my "#1 Place To Be" to go green, South Boston, Massachusetts...

This area of town is filled with everything Irish, from the residents to the pubs, and has the second largest St. Patrick's Day Parade in the U.S. The 106th Annual Southie's St. Patrick's Day Parade takes place on Sunday, March 19th at 1 p.m. and runs down a 3.2 mile stretch right through the heart of Boston. If you love bag pipes, you will love the 18 Pipe and Drums bands that are the feature of the parade. To beat the crowd of over 850,000, get to the city early and don't even think about driving right into South Boston. Instead park the car and take the "T" in: the MBTA runs extra service just for this event. After the parade be sure to visit one of the great Irish pubs along the route for a "Pionta Guinness" (pint of Guinness).

Erin Go Braugh!

Photo Credit: © Shannon & Colleen Graham