More than 33 million people in the U.S. claim Irish ancestry — that’s over seven times the population of Ireland itself!  

So Irish or not, how will you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?

Originally, a religious holiday to honor St. Patrick, who introduced Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century, St. Patrick’s Day is now a party for all things Irish.

The fun includes the 33^rd annual St. Patrick's Day Parade & Festival this Saturday, March 14 at 10 a.m., beginning at Lane and Salisbury streets in downtown Raleigh.

While the world’s very first St. Patrick’s Day parade occurred in March 1762 in New York City, the Triangle’s version started in 1983 with a dozen or so enthusiastic Irish-Americans marching down Wilmington Street.

By 2000, an independent Raleigh Saint Patrick's Day Parade Committee was formed with members from other local Irish organizations.

Following Saturday’s parade is the Wearin’ ‘O the Green Festival on City Plaza, at the south end of Fayetteville Street.

Festival fun includes live music, dancing, a bounce house and kiddie rides along “Leprechaun Lane,” plus lots of food and refreshments. For more info, see raleighstpats.org.

In Search of Leprechauns

On actual St. Patrick;s Day – that’s Tuesday, March 17 — take the kids to Historic Yates Mill County Park on Lake Wheeler Road, to hear Irish music and leprechaun stories, and build their own leprechaun trap!

The event runs from 3 to 4 p.m., and is for ages 6-12. Pre-register or get more details at wakegov.com/parks/yatesmill/events.