Denmcdough and Turpin made some very cogent points. I have a very devout Roman Catholic friend who will not participate in the bachanalia that is ST. Paddy's in most places because St. Patrick is his patron, and he is very serious about keeping the feast day.

But for many, especially the young who are no longer educated, it is simply an excuse to get drunk and have fun. (The two are not synonimous! ) Unfortunately, most US children get so little history that they only think of "Irish" as having to do with leprechauns and things green. Few of them know what wearing the orange means, even though in my neck of the woods, the Scots-Irish protestants were likely their ancestors.

I enjoy it as the first outing of the (almost) Spring to which I can take my grandchildren and have a nice afternoon. I'm too old to get drunk, but our celebration in Conyers will please everyone. The young (and old) get out early and walk and talk and eat, and the young crazies can show out late in the evening.

Everyone wins.