I'm Irish, but even I didn't know the history of pinching folks for not wearing green on St. Patrick's Day. So I did a little checking.

First I wanted to find out why we wear green on the big day. The color green became a symbol of rebellion after the English invasion of Ireland. The shamrock was used as a political statement to represent Irish Nationalism. The Irish also used a green flag and after the British took over Ireland, the color green was taboo.

The tradition of wearing green crossed the ocean when the Irish fled to the United States during the potato famine.

So that's a little info about the color green, but what about the pinching?

Most of the information I could find has to do with leprechauns. This tradition started in the United States by Irish immigrants who were convinced that wearing green makes you invisible to leprechauns who are fairy creatures that run around pinching anyone they can see. If you have green on, they can't see you and therefore, you won't get pinched.

We will be wearing the green and drinking green beer at Patty in the Plaza Thursday night at Festival Plaza as we celebrate all things St. Patrick's Day. If you bring 5 non-perishable food items, you will get $5 off your admission.

Here's where you can get your advanced tickets.

 

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