Are you ready to Get Your Green On? You don’t have to be Irish to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Downtown Greenville. Just make sure you have the proper attire – I’m pretty sure it’s no longer okay to pinch random strangers! (Was that ever okay?)
Greenville has a long tradition of St. Patrick’s Day parades dating back to 1918 when soldiers from Camp Sevier marched down Main. Over the years festivals, concerts and even bike races have added to the excitement.
For 2020, community groups across the Upstate have joined forces to bring the “Luck of the Irish” to the area.“This year, we will have bigger floats and more music and bands…” Hours for this year’s festival have been extended. Saturday, March 14th, from 11am-8pm is your chance to experience exciting entertainment for the whole family!
The Parade and Festival are brought to you by The Greenville St. Patrick’s Day Committee,“a family oriented and non-political all- volunteer organization that supports and encourages participation in the many diverse activities of the Upstate community that promote interest in Irish culture and heritage.” The Committee has a duel purpose of “education and increasing awareness and involvement in the Irish community of the Upstate.”
Honorees for this year’s parade reads like a “Who’s Who” in Greenville.
– Grand Marshall – Governor Henry D. McMaster
– Parade Commander – Sheriff Johnny Mack Brown
– Business Professional of the Year – Craig Brown, Greenville Drive Owner/President
– Man of the Year – Father Patrick Tuttle, OFM, St. Anthony of Padua Church
– Woman of the Year – Ay Doyle, Greenville City Council
NOMA Square is the place to be Saturday, March 14th, beginning with the parade at 11am and the festival will go until 8pm. Revelers can sport their green while enjoying activities all day in the Greenest town in South Carolina.
For even more information about the annual festivities click here. You can also follow them along on social media Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for all updates.
In preparation for the big day, we thought we would share a little history along with a few fun facts about St. Patrick’s Day:
– Patricius was the Patron Saint of Ireland, but he wasn’t actually from Ireland. He was born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century. At the age of sixteen, he was captured by pirates and sold into slavery in Ireland.
– He escaped and returned home. Later, he travelled back to convert the Irish to Christianity. St. Patrick is considered one of the most successful missionaries in history.
– Immigrants to the United States transformed St. Patrick’s Day into a secular celebration.
– Blue was the color originally associated with the holiday.
– The first parade was held in Boston in 1737 followed by NYC in 1762.
We’ll leave you today with an Irish Blessing:
May your pockets be heavy
and your heart be light;
May good luck pursue you
each morning and night.
Want more events happening in the Upstate? Click here.
