Spring has almost sprung, and it's time to get your green on! The Kasson Area Chamber of Commerce is getting ready to kick off a St. Paddy's Day event to bring in spring. And what better way to celebrate than with the old St. Paddy's Day celebration?
But what is St. Patrick's day all about, really? Well, I did a little digging, and it appears that St. Patrick was never a real saint, although he has been celebrated as a sort of "savior" in some traditions. He was born in 386 CE in what is now Wales. At the age of 16 he was enslaved and taken to Ireland where he spent 6 years in captivity. He escaped, only to return later to Ireland to bring Christianity to the people there.
During his life Patrick became a priest and was the founder of schools, churches and monasteries prior to his death in 461 CE. There was no Catholic canonization process in Ireland in the 400's to officially call him a saint, but the name caught on and remains to this day. The song we sang as wee ones about St. Paddy commemorates his ability in vanquishing snakes from the Emerald Isle. How many of you are now singing that song in your head?
So, where do all I the symbols we know today come from? Well, He was said to be small in stature, so perhaps the Leprechaun depicts this man who was so important to Ireland? And he WAS captured, and escaped, just like the real Leprechauns are said to do. And he was able to do some magic with his flute to lure the snakes away. But the Shamrock that represents the man and the holiday was supposedly used by Patrick to explain the Holy Trinity to the masses and has nothing to do with snakes. And the Green beer and other delicacies? Well, "Green" came into the picture in 1798 during the Irish Rebellion. The color blue of the Irish flag was originally associated with the holiday until the rebels of the revolution decided to oppose the blue and wear green to differentiate themselves from the British who clothed themselves in red. The color green now is associated with all things Irish.
There are worldwide parades to celebrate St. Patrick, with many variations. Some are secular, praising this man who brought Christianity early on to the people of Ireland. Others celebrate him as a man who shattered the hold the snakes had on the people as they overran the country, creating a lot of problems. In any case, you are supposed to wear a bit of green to avoid the penalty of being pinched! The earliest parade in Ireland kicks off just before sunup in Dingle and is attended by towns people and tourists alike. In Dublin it has grown to be a 4 day festival!
So, dig out your best green and join us in Kasson as the Chamber of Commerce celebrates this day on Saturday March 14th. There will be many activities going on, starting with a 5K run or walk. It starts at 9 am at the Legion. After the run, enjoy some green beer and giveaways. All proceeds from the race will benefit the Kenyon Ambassador Scholarship Program. From 11 am to 8 pm, make plans for the 21 and over Chamber Dig. There will be a host of family activities downtown from 1pm to 3 pm. At 3:14 pm a bingo card drawing will commence at the old Leuthold's building next to Tammy's Place. At 4 pm be sure to get to the Legion to hear the bagpipes being played. For more information on this auspicious occasion, go to the chamber website, or chat with one of the members, and by all means, don't leave your house without something green on!!!
