St. Patrick's Day Events in Cleveland, Ohio

Most major cities in the United States observe St. Patrick's Day, and Cleveland, Ohio is no exception. You don't even have to be Irish to enjoy the celebration. Here are a few ways for Clevelanders to participate in St. Patrick's Day festivities.

The most famous local St. Patrick's Day attraction in Cleveland is the St. Patrick's Day Parade. The parade will be held on Monday, March 17, and marks the 141st year that the Parade has been in existence. In addition to being a festive holiday celebration, the Parade recognizes major contributors to Cleveland's Irish community. This year, Ireland-born Clevelander John Campbell holds the honor of being Grand Marshall, and Kathleen Hough has been named Irish Mother of the Year. The Parade will be held downtown, beginning at the intersection of Superior Ave. and East 18th St., traveling to and then down 3rd. St., and ending at the intersection of Rockwell Ave. and East 6th St. One of the best things about parades is that they are free, and therefore are a great way to celebrate a holiday with your family even if you don't have a lot of money to spare. However, it does cost money to put on a parade, so if you do have some extra income, consider donating it to the Shamrock Pin Fund, which helps defray Parade expenses. A contribution of $25 will even allow you a chance to be in the Parade! You can find out more information about the parade at the official website.

Since St. Patrick's Day comes out of Catholic tradition, consider attending a service at a Cleveland church. Even if you're not Catholic, this can be a great way for your family to learn more about the history behind the saint and the holiday. One of your best bets is, of course, St. Patrick Parish, located on Bridge Ave. If St. Patrick's Church is too out of your way, you have many more options available. Cleveland has a strong Catholic tradition, and while I don't have enough space to list everything here, you won't have any difficulty finding a Catholic church to visit for the holiday.