5 Common St. Patrick’s Day Traditions
When March 17th rolls around, it’s time to break out the shamrocks, lucky charms, and kilts. It’s St. Patrick’s Day, a traditional Irish holiday that we all know and love. And, people all around the world celebrate this day in their own unique way. With so many fun St. Patrick’s Day traditions, it’s easy to join in on the fun. You don’t even have to be Irish. So, as the big day approaches, here are some fun ways to channel your inner leprechaun and celebrate.
Parades
Parades are a worldwide St. Patrick’s Day tradition. In fact, the holiday is celebrated all weekend long here in Maryland starting with the annual Annapolis St. Patrick’s Day Parade. This year, the parade will take place on March 10th in downtown Annapolis. Bring the whole family and enjoy a festival after the parade featuring face painters, food, and libations. Similarly, there will be festivities going on throughout the holiday weekend in Baltimore, St. Michaels, Gaithersburg and more. Dive into Irish culture with live music, pub crawls, Irish dancers, and vendors. Plus, there are lots of activities for people of all ages to explore.
Green Everything
It wouldn’t be St. Patrick’s Day without seeing the color green (everywhere)! This notable, vibrant color is featured on Ireland’s flag and it’s also the color of clovers and leprechauns. Share in the holiday spirit by wearing green from head to toe, or else you might get pinched! And, you can even make green a part of your diet. If you’re cooking at home, add green food coloring to your cookies, pancakes or eggs. Or, you can add color naturally with mint chips, avocado, and fresh basil. On the other hand, if you choose to eat out, we recommend the fried green tomatoes at Garry’s. Not only are they green, but they’re also magically delicious.
Lots of Beer
For many people, St. Paddy’s Day is all about the beer. Green beer to be exact. Particularly, during this holiday, about 3 million pints of Guinness are downed. So, skip the wine and malt liquor and kick back with a cold one. But, while some prefer to stick to Irish-made beers during the holiday, any kind will do. To help celebrate, you can count on Garry’s Grill to serve a variety of your favorite bottled beers, such as Budweiser, Heineken, Yuengling, and Blue Moon. So, come on in, grab your drink of choice and “cheers” to St. Paddy’s Day.
Shamrocks
Shamrocks, or four-leaf clovers, are thought to have been used by Saint Patrick to resemble the Christian Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit). Moreover, shamrocks are quite rare, therefore they’re considered to be lucky in Irish culture. Celebrate the holiday by painting a clover on your face or grab a shamrock necklace to stay lucky and festive.
Corned Beef & Cabbage
You can’t let the holiday pass without eating corned beef. Corned beef and cabbage is a traditional St. Patrick’s Day meal eaten with friends and family. The comforting dish also helps you warm up after a chilly March day. And, best of all, you can grab your own serving here at Garry’s Grill. Stop in and try our Corned Beef Hash for breakfast or the Corned Beef Reuben for lunch. As always, our Reuben is made with natural, shaved corned beef brisket with sauerkraut and Swiss. Yum!
… and Potatoes
Potatoes have long been associated with Irish culture. They’re a staple in the Irish diet and often star in many traditional dishes. So, if it’s potatoes you want, potatoes are what you’ll get. At Garry’s, you can always add a side of potatoes to any entrée. But, if you really want to go all out, order the Chicken Pot Pie. It’s the ultimate comfort food. Not to mention, it’s also one of our newer menu items. What better time to try it than now? It’s made with marinated chicken, creamy gravy, potatoes, and other veggies. Even more, a house-made buttermilk biscuit ties it all together.
What St. Patrick’s Day traditions will you participate in this year? If you’re planning a house party or office party, check out Garry’s Grill catering services. Also, our bakery will be open, serving up delicious pastries and desserts to enjoy. We’re open 7 am to 9 pm, Monday through Saturday and 7 am – 8 pm on Sundays. Questions? Contact us today or visit us at 553 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd in Severna Park.