Anthony Stackpoole of Cup of the Day hopes to make this Saint Patrick’s Day memorable in Sault Ste. Marie by dressing in green to host its sixth annual parade.
The weather has not been so accommodating in past years, but this year “luck” might just be on Stackpoole’s side. It is still a little too early to tell.
“There have always been people that come out to watch regardless,” said Stackpoole, who is of Irish heritage. “We wear hats and carry an Irish flag.”
In the past, Stackpoole has even dyed his beard green to celebrate. Although not quite long enough this time around, he has recruited a little leprechaun to walk with his family and participating groups.
Cup of the day has a traditional Irish corned beef reuben on its menu. To accommodate all of its customers, corned beef may be substituted for turkey or roast beef. Coleslaw is available as an option.
“Come down and eat at any of our downtown restaurants,” Stackpoole said.
Several Sault area businesses will be celebrating the holiday.
This Sixth Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 17 in front of Pingatore Cleaners, heading north on Ashmun Street to end at the designated farmer's market pavilion on the corner of Portage Avenue and Ashmun Street.
Anyone interested in participating in the St. Patrick's Day Parade should meet at Pingatore Cleaners, located at 713 Ashmun St #1, Sault Ste. Marie, at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 17. For more information, call Cup of the Day at 906-635-7272.
Stackpoole emphasized the importance of recognizing the holiday in the EUP, where a number of Irish families once settled.
4-H ARTiculate Journalist Club member, Sault Area Middle School student Audrie Matthews is of Irish heritage herself. She has chosen to write about St. Patrick’s Day as part of a club project:
Saint Patrick's Day
“You probably think of Saint Patrick's Day as the holiday where you made leprechaun traps in kindergarten, but there is so much more to it than that.
According to the Christian Science Monitor, Saint Patrick's day is an Irish holiday that was made popular by Irish American immigrants in the 1700s. It takes place on March 17th every year to commemorate Saint Patrick’s death.
Saint Patrick is said to be the person to first bring Christianity to Ireland. Some say he died at the age 122, but others say he died at age 76. Saint Patrick's day is now known to be a religious holiday.
Some people celebrate Saint Patrick's Day by eating corned beef and cabbage, a traditional Irish meal, and watching parades that feature traditional Irish dancers and musicians.
Another way to acknowledge Saint Patrick’s Day is by acknowledging its leprechauns.
Leprechauns can be found in much of Ireland's folklore and stories. They are usually described as mischievous shoe makers who stockpile their money in a pot that is said to be hidden at the end of the rainbow. It is said that anyone who can catch a leprechaun will get his pot of gold. It is also believed that seeing a leprechaun will give you good luck.
Information gathered from "The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures," written by John and Caitlin Matthews, traces leprechaun legends back to the eighth-century.
Their name is thought to come from the word “luchorpan” meaning small body. The name makes sense because leprechauns are said to be only two to three feet tall.
Saint Patrick’s Day grew to become a big deal in American culture. Americans attend parades, wear green, and design leprechaun traps among other fun traditions.
Many cities like New York, Boston, and Chicago host big Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations.
The Enjoy Illinois website includes pictures of a green Chicago River. Going back five decades, Chicago has turned its river emerald green by dumping 100 pounds of ‘environmentally friendly’ dye in it.
This year will mark the river’s 61st anniversary of being green.
Apart from America, countries like Argentina, Japan, and Singapore also celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day. Argentina has festivals, events, and parades.
According to the Live Japan Perfect Guide website, Tokyo has hosted a Saint Patrick's Day parade since 1992, featuring a mix of Japanese and Irish dress up.
The Saint Patrick’s Society Singapore tells all about the country’s annual Saint Patrick's Day ball, in which many people dress in green.
Saint Patrick’s Day is a cherished holiday all over the world. There are celebrations, folklore and traditions. You can keep this holiday alive by going to local celebrations or parades, taking part in traditions, or just acknowledging the occasion. However you do it, make sure you take part in the beloved holiday known as Saint Patrick's Day.”
4-H ARTiculate Journalist Club members will be out and about to cover this year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade on Friday, March 17 at 5 p.m., beginning front of Pingatore Cleaners and heading north on Ashmun Street to end at the designated farmer's market pavilion.
Anyone interested in participating may show up to Pingatore Cleaners, located at 713 Ashmun St #1, Sault Ste. Marie at 4:30 p.m. Friday, March 17.
Cup of the Day is located at 406 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie. It is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, call Cup of the Day at 906-635-7272.
