Greetings, Crunch Crew! Spring is just around the corner, and it is time to celebrate one of our favorite holidays. We here at John Wm. Macy’s are counting down the days to break out our festive green clothes, prepare our corned beef, and enjoy St. Patrick’s Day with our favorite people!
The History of St. Patrick’s Day
Originally celebrated in the 17th century as a religious feast day honoring the life and legacy of Saint Patrick, St. Patrick’s Day has evolved into a celebration of Irish heritage around the nation. The holiday was first brought to the United States with the first Saint Patrick’s Day parade in Augustine, Florida in 1602. The next parade in the U.S. would occur in 1772, when Irish soldiers serving in the English military sought a way to honor the Irish patron saint.
Irish for a Day in the USA
America officially adopted the Irish holiday in 1848, when New York City held its very own St. Patrick’s Day parade. Since then, major cities and small towns alike have all held their own parades to celebrate Irish heritage across the nation. These celebrations include lots of bagpipes, Irish step dancing, and plenty of Irish music! Attendees wear green to show their Irish heritage, and others may wear green to celebrate being Irish for a day!
Cheers to Corned Beef
Your traditional St. Patrick’s Day meal is centered around a corned beef cooked to perfection. On the side, you might see boiled cabbage, roasted carrots, and potatoes. The finishing touch to every St. Patrick’s Day meal is Irish soda bread, along with some Irish butter! If you end up having leftover corned beef, you can put some small slices on top of our John Wm. Macy’s Grilled Crostini Toasts with dressing of your choice for a delicious savory bite!
Celebrate With a Charcuterie Board
At John Wm. Macy’s, we believe that no holiday is complete without a charcuterie board! Charcuterie boards are super simple to make and entirely customizable, so it is easy to add a touch of Saint Patrick’s Day flair to your board! Start with incorporating some Irish Cheddar cheese. Slice your cheese thin, and take a small shamrock-shaped cookie cutter to create little shamrocks to decorate your spread. For produce, reach for broccoli, cucumbers, grapes, or any other greens you like! If you really want to elevate your board, you can slice the top off a green bell pepper and fill it with your favorite dip! Don’t forget to add some John Wm. Macy’s Cheddar & Scallion Cheesesticks or John Wm. Macy’s Rosemary & Cheddar Cheesecrisps. They provide the perfect touch of gold to complete your charcuterie board!
Whether you are Irish by heritage or just Irish at heart, St. Patrick’s Day festivities can be enjoyed by everyone! Tag us on social media @johnwmmacys if you make a St. Patrick’s Day charcuterie board, and let us know your favorite way to celebrate the holiday!
