Have A Pint Of St. Patrick's Day Inspiration
Get life lessons with this year's parade grand marshal and a few good reasons to pick up on old tradition.
As host of WRUW FM 91.1’s weekly Irish radio show Beyond the Pale for 14 years, Roger S. Weist is a prominent Irish voice in Cleveland. So it’s no surprise the United Irish Societies honored Weist by naming him grand marshal of the 2017 St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Weist shares lessons he’s learned about being an Irish Clevelander.
My dear old Irish mother instilled in us a belief in ourselves, an ability to help others, a belief in faith and a belief in family.
She raised 18 children under one roof in Lakewood with one upstairs bathroom.
She’s beaming down on us now. I just wish she were here to share this honor.
I’m an American first and foremost. I happen to be of Irish descent, but I love my country.
I have such a desire to share the culture and the traditions, because I believe my heritage made me who I am.
We’re all related. You never know when you’re going to meet a cousin in a bar.
I close my radio show every week with: “Dance as if no one were watching, sing as if no one were listening, love like you’ve never been hurt and live each day like it were your last.” That probably best summarizes my life.
Party Paddy's
When the St. Patrick’s Day Parade traveled down Euclid Avenue, hotel parties to watch festivities from above were a March 17 tradition. “Now, they’re mostly gatherings for the older people who can’t stand for long periods of time or don’t want to deal with the crowds,” says John O’Brien Jr., publisher and editor of the Ohio Irish American News. With new downtown hotels such as the Drury Plaza Hotel Cleveland Downtown, Westin Cleveland Downtown and more, here are three reasons to bring back an old tradition.
Beat the crowds
Cleveland is bracing for a big bash this year, so a bird’s-eye view along the route will give you the best seat in the city — not to mention a killer Instagram pic. “Going through the new Public Square will be a big draw this year,” says O’Brien. “Plus, it’s the 175th parade and a Friday, so the crowd will be up a bit.”
Feast and quiet
Digging into your sacred corned beef sandwich hits new heights when it doesn’t involve rubbing elbows with every Sean, Liam and Ryan. But plan ahead and pack that sammie in a cooler. “If not, you might end up in a line at Slyman’s that goes out the door and around the block.”
Escape the cold
With the average low temperature for Cleveland in March around 30 degrees and snow always a possibility, a hotel party ensures it won’t rain — or snow — on your parade this year. “I remember as a kid it would be freezing cold every year. We’d have hot chocolate to warm us up.”
