The Hudson Valley Abounds with St. Patrick's Day Celebrations!

Feb. 17, 2009 - PRLog -- Irish eyes are smiling on the Hudson Valley with plenty of “wearing of the green” events to celebrate both before and after St. Patrick’s Day. Corned beef and cabbage, music, parades, and even a skating party will bring every member of the family out for the festivities.

Parades are one event you can always count on for St. Patty’s Day. Start early on Saturday, March 7th with bagpipe bands, floats, fire trucks, and classic cars as they snake their way through the village of Wappingers Falls.  Area restaurants offer traditional Irish food with more music and fun for everyone. The following Saturday, on March 14th, Albany hosts its own St. Pat’s parade in the city. You’ll find authentic corned beef and cabbage at McGeary’s Pub and Irish Bar where live music and bagpipers will entertain you under the tent after the parade, and also on March 17th.

The revelry continues on the 14th in White Plains when more than 20 bands, floats, and Irish entertainment take to the streets, marching all the way to City Hall. The next day, Sunday the 15th, one of the largest parades of all takes place in Kingston, winding its way from the Stockade District all the way down to the Roundout. The competition is fierce for Best Band, Best Float, and Best Irish Group, and the winners will walk away with some handsome trophies.  To round out the season, don’t miss the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Pearl River on March 22nd. It’s the 47th annual, attracting spectators from as far away as Ireland.

St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th, offers more merriment at Peint O‘Gwrw (pint o’ grew) restaurant and pub with traditional corned beef and cabbage served by kilt-clad waiters. Enjoy a hearty Irish or Welsh beverage while you enjoy the music of bagpipers. Later in Troy, catch the Celtic folk/rock band Hair of the Dog. It’s a high energy concert with smooth four-part harmonies, a powerful celebration of Irish music.

Work off all the corned beef and soda bread at the Luck of the Irish Skate Party at The Castle in Chester. Wear green and get a discount on admission to this 10,000 square foot roller rink. Irish trivia, games, and prizes are just part of the fun, continued at Jester’s Restaurant a few steps away. Cap off your St. Patrick’s Day celebration with a unique and fabulous item from Back in Ireland in Cold Spring. The shop is packed with a wide range of Irish jewelry, sweaters, pottery, and more, a perfect memento of St. Patrick all year long.

Join the leprechauns and their Irish merriment. The wearing of the green has never been more fun than in the Hudson Valley, where everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Wappingers Falls. 845-297-0800, www.DCSPPC.org   

St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Albany. 518- 434-2032 clears@ci.albany.ny.us

St. Patrick’s Day Parade, White Plains. 914-686.0239, www.stpatricksdayparade.com/white_plains      
St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Kingston. 845-338-6622, www.ulsteraoh.com

St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Pearl River. 845-735-3682, www.saintpatricksdayparade.com

Peint O‘Gwrw, Chatham. 518-392-2337

Hair of the Dog Concert, Troy. 518-274-0553, www.revolutionhall.com

Luck of the Irish Skate Party, Chester. 845-469-2116, www.thecastlefuncenter.com   

Back in Ireland, Cold Spring. 845-265-4570, www.backinireland.com


Hudson Valley Tourism, Inc. is the 10-county region designated by I LOVE NEW YORK to promote tourism for the area. Counties include Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Ulster and Westchester. Regional information can be obtained from any of the county tourism offices, the Hudson Valley Tourism website, www.travelhudsonvalley.com, or by calling 845-615-3860.