St. Patrick's Day Information and Important Etiquette

Ok, so St. Patrick’s Day is only around the corner and we are getting excited in our household. We love St. Patrick’s Day; when my wife was growing up she spent every St. Patrick’s Day at an Irish Céilidh doing her Irish dancing routine with the rest of her dance troup. Then, as time went on we would always end up at an Irish Céilidh somewhere! 

Now we live in the U.S. we are still on the look out for fun things to do, and we have discovered a few things for this year such as:-

• March 15, 2014: The 3rd Annual Irish Celtic Festival takes place at Central Park in Lakewood Ranch. With entertainment stages, the Lucky Dog Parade, traditional food, a pot 'o gold scavenger hut and more, from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. This year there will be a 5k run on the morning of the event. Sign up your dog for the parade. Central Park amenity center off Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.

• March 16, 2014: The 9th Annual Irish Rover St. Patrick’s Day Festival is from 11:00 am - 6:00 pm (rain or shine) featuring Irish entertainment all day long. There will be beer and drinks and Fish and Chips, Corned Beef and Cabbage and more. Family fun for all. Admission: $7 adults, kids 12 & under are free. Free parking. Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Rd, Sarasota. (East of I-75 on Clark Rd).

• March 17, 2014: The Shamrock Pub hosts its 6th annual St. Patrick's Day Block Party. The pub opens at noon, music starts at 2:00 pm. Irish beer, music, bagpipers and food. Limerick Contest Finals, The Beer Geek, Face Painting, Irish Dance Academy of Sarasota and more. No cover charge. Under the tent. 2257 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota. Proceeds from the event benefit the Sarasota Family YMCA Youth Shelter.

Also, don’t forget Main Street in Lakewood Ranch.

Oh, and just a little thing to remember on this year’s St. Patrick’s Day, and every other one to come

• It's 'Paddy' NOT 'Patty'. EVER

• 'Saint Patrick's Day'? GRAND

• 'Paddy's Day'? SURE, DEAD-ON

• 'St. Pat's'? AYE, IF YE MUST

• 'St. Patty'? NO, NEVER!

Why is 'Patty' just so wrong?

• 'Paddy' is derived from the Irish, Pádraig, hence those mysterious, emerald double-Ds.

• 'Patty' is the diminutive of Patricia, or a burger, and just not something you call a fella.

• There is not a sinner in Ireland that would refer to a Patrick as 'Patty'. It’s as simple as that.

Now let’s all have some fun.