By Sharadyn Janssen

While St. Patrick’s Day is known for shamrocks, green outfits, and luck, the real intention of the holiday is to celebrate the Irish culture. However, St. Patrick’s Day is not only celebrated in Ireland.

According to History, America hosted the first St. Patrick’s Day parade, and the tradition of eating corned beef and cabbage was an American innovation.

This year, on March 17, students chose to celebrate the St. Patrick’s Day holiday in a variety of different ways.

Zoey Savage, QU freshman, spent most of her day at work. She works at Carter’s Coffee Bar as a barista.

“It was so much fun working on St. Patrick’s Day because we got to put green food coloring in our homemade whipped cream that we put on top of the coffee,” Savage said.

She explained that Carter’s also had two seasonal drinks for the holiday, the Shamrock Latte and the Irish Sour Lotus.

Grace Hilbing, QU junior, went to Kelly’s Tavern with her family to indulge in their special corned beef and cabbage.

Hilbing also had class and soccer practice.

“I was hoping my team would be festive and all wear green to practice, but I was disappointed to see that wasn’t the case. Only a few of my teammates showed up in green,” Hilbing said.

Corrie Wingerter, QU junior, also spent St. Patrick’s Day eating this meal with friends and family.

“Every year my family has the tradition to get together and make corned beef and cabbage,” Wingerter said. “I invited two of my friends to come this year and they were not very fond of the corned beef.”

Whether they are global, family, or personal, traditions and memories come along with most holidays.

“The best memory I have of St. Patrick’s Day is when my family and I used to watch the St. Patty’s Day parade every single year together,” Savage said.

Savage explained that they did not get to watch this year, because the parade was cancelled due to COVID-19.

“When I was six, my mom made my siblings and I green eggs and ham. That was definitely my favorite St. Patrick’s Day memory since I still remember it 14 years later,” Wingerter said.

“My favorite St. Patrick’s Day was two years ago in St. Louis. My friends and I went to our hotel and got dressed head to toe in green outfits to go to the parade,” Hilbing said.

There are many different traditions and symbols for St. Patrick’s Day. Whether it’s eating corned beef and cabbage, wearing green clothing, watching the parade, or whatever else students choose to do, St. Patrick’s Day remains a global celebration for people of all ages.