Mar 17, 2023
It’s St. Patrick’s Day so it’s time to bust out the green and celebrate!
St. Patrick's Day is a celebration of Irish culture and heritage. Observed annually, it has transformed from a religious festival into crowd-drawing festivities that often include lots of drinking and merry-making.
Did you know that even though St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, he didn't always reside there until he was 16 years old? A popular myth associated with St. Patrick was him driving snakes away from Ireland. The thing is, there are no snakes in Ireland. And while we associate green with St. Patrick’s Day nowadays, it was originally blue. Green was later associated with the saint and festival when the shamrock, which was closely associated with Ireland, gained popularity. Others say the color green was inspired by the vast landscapes of Ireland, often called the Emerald Isle.
Surprisingly, the first parade to honor St. Patrick was held not in Ireland but in Florida in 1601. New York City followed suit in 1762. Since then, the St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York City is one of the world’s biggest celebrations and attracts more than a million visitors annually. To honor the many Irish immigrants who helped establish Chicago, Illinois, local officials have been turning the Chicago River green every year since 1962.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by spreading good luck with a handy bottle opener key ring to keep those drinks flowing. Of course, you want your drinks to be as cool as you are so grab a Can Kooler while you’re at it. If you’re hosting a party, spread good luck by having green-themed giveaways your customers can carry around. How about a classic green canvas tote bag combined with a vacuum insulated stainless steel bottle? Whether you’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day or not, we’ll leave you with our favorite Irish blessing: May peace and plenty bless your world, with a joy that long endures!