Everyone's  Irish on St. Patrick's Day!  Saturday is the official day although parades and

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festivities are held during the entire weekend.  To the Irish, St. Patrick's Day isn't about drinking beer and partying.  For Catholics in Ireland, its a family day that starts out with church services in the morning to honor their patron saint and usually a parade in the afternoon.

Here are some fun facts about St. Patrick's Day:

--The shamrock isn't the official emblem of Ireland, its the harp.

--More than 40 percent of U.S. presidents has Irish ancestry.

--Seventy million people worldwide can claim Irish ancestry.

--Several million shamrock plants are grown each year in County cork, Ireland.

--The first St. Patrick's Day celebration in America took place  in Boston in the year 1737.

--It has been said that there are more Americans O Irish decent living in the U. S. than Irishmen living in Ireland.

--Patrick didn't lead snakes out of Ireland but he did lead the barbarians out by converting them to Christianity.

Be sure to enjoy the Western New York festivities on Sunday, March 18 ( a day late?).  The 71st annual St. Patrick's Day parade, sponsored by the United Irish American Association of Erie County steps off at 2 p.m. on Delaware Avenue At Niagara Square.  Hopefully it will be a beautiful warm day like today.  That's me basking in the sun by my bike outside of the radio station.

Oh by the way, that green fountain in front of the White House  is for real.  Have a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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