St. Patrick’s Day celebrations have become more popular in recent times.  The day hadn’t really been on my radar until a couple of years ago when I heard about the annual parade in downtown Indianapolis.  I decided that would be a fun event, and I would try to go.  However, that happened to be 2020, so you know how all that went.

Fast forward to this year.  As luck would have it, the weather forecast predicted a beautiful day for outdoor holiday celebrations.  I assembled my different articles of green clothing and headed for the parade.  I was impressed that so many people had turned out on a weekday morning for the event.

However, I noticed that the various shades of green I was wearing, that seemed to go together in the dim light at home, completely clashed in the bright sunlight.  One great thing about parades is that spectators are more focused on floats, performers, and candy than mismatched bystanders.

The parade had marching bands, elementary schools, and police on motorcycles putting on quite a show.  There were local businesses, fire trucks, and a pipe and drum band.  I saw many dogs, both in the parade as well as on the sidelines, and admired how some of the canines were able to put up with various leprechaun-type outfits.

I headed to the music tent after the parade, which was packed with other people who had the same idea.  By the time I made my way back to the food area, the pizza truck had sold out.  Not being familiar with restaurants nearby, and mindful that the parking meter would expire soon, I thought it was time to move on.

It was such a nice day, and still early, so I decided to stop by a place I had heard about recently.  Within the past week I first heard of this restaurant from a coworker.  Then there was an article in the newspaper highlighting their St. Patrick’s Day celebration.  And on the way to the parade I happened to drive by it.  I took this trio of references as a nudge that I needed to check it out.

This was clearly the place to be on March 17th.  The outdoor tent was bustling, and I didn’t even try to get inside the packed restaurant and instead ordered from the outside grill.  There was a sequence of bands playing Irish music, both folk and modern.

I was pleasantly surprised to see so many older folks there; clearly, this has been a tradition for them over the years.  Some groups had t-shirts with their (mostly Irish) last names printed on them, sort of like a family reunion.  I guess that’s to be expected when you’re at an establishment that is boasting it’s 89th St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

As the afternoon progressed, it became ever more loud and crowded, especially as the after work group started to pour in.  I moved to the sunny courtyard area for a (relative) amount of space and fresh air.  A few people commented on my committed green outfit, and I had to keep explaining that it appeared to match when I was at home.

I decided I had sufficiently celebrated the holiday, and thought it prudent to leave before any real shenanigans started.  I was hot, tired, and looking forward to using a real restroom.  After I got home, I realized I wasn’t completely green anymore—this was the first time I’d ever started a tan on St. Patrick’s Day.