Festive and Traditional, All in a Weekend's Fun

Image Courtesy of Tracey's Bar

Thankfully, by now most of our Mardi Gras hangovers have worn off. The timing couldn't be better for celebrating three holidays that have long standing traditions in Irish Catholic New Orleans. For myself St. Joseph's Day, which is celebrated on March 19th, comes with a hint of nostalgia as I remember bringing canned goods to my grade school teachers and staring in awe at the mountains of cookies and braided breads covering the traditional alter. This year, there will be a parade beginning 6 pm at Canal and Chartres Streets that will eventually wind it's way through the French Quarter. For those of us interested in enjoying our fair share of green lagers there is an entire weekend of festivities planned. On Thursday, there's the long standing               Irish Channel Block Party. I usually show up just at the end to survey the damage, be warned most things shut down around 8 pm. On Friday, the Molly's at the Market parade starts at 6 pm and is followed by a series of bar parties mostly on Saturday, the actual St. Patrick's Day. Sunday has one of the most interesting and family friendly events, the Louisiana Irish-Italian Parade in Metairie. And if you're not too tired after all of these festivities be sure to check out Super Sunday, a favorite of mine since childhood. It's a day when the Mardi Gras Indians dress in their finest and parade out to meet the other tribes. It starts at noon at LaSalle Street and Washington Avenue and is well worth the crowds.