Where else can you find green lining the streets, a man dressed as a giant glass of Guinness, and young couples looking for a drunken afternoon? Hoboken’s annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, of course. It would have made Saint Patrick proud.

For years, this parade, held the first Saturday in March, attracts hundreds of spectators looking to catch a glimpse of the bands and floats. Irish and non-Irish from across the tri-state area mainly come for the special deals on beer and the various pubs that line Washington Street, where the parade stepped off.

But how did this parade become such a big affair in such a short time and what is the special tradition behind it? A brief history of the Emerald Isle’s patron saint will separate the truth about the holiday from the blarney you may head heard elsewhere.

Saint Patrick’s Day originated nearly one thousand years ago as a religious holiday commemorating the death of Saint Patrick. Although his biography is vague, his feast day has allowed many to retrace their Irish roots and unite in celebration.

Annual parades, however, did not originate in Ireland. In fact, bagpipers, brass bands, and other participants began marching down New York City streets as early as 1762. As immigrants, according to the History Channel, the Irish were “portrayed as drunk, violent monkeys.” However, Saint Patrick’s Day allowed the Irish to gain overwhelming political power and it became a well-attended showcase of culture.

Over time, the Irish were finally receiving acceptance in America. Classical symbols of Saint Patrick’s Day readily became popular and denoted the holiday: shamrocks, leprechauns, and corned beef. Since this year’s festivities are only a week away, I find myself wondering: where’s my Irish soda bread?

According to the official website of Hoboken’s Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, the very first Parade was held in 1989 and was led by the late George W. Crimmins, Sr., Chief of the Hoboken Police Department, with a few hundred spectators. Since then, the Parade has grown to be one of the premiere cultural events in Northern NJ.

The duration of the parade is only an hour but showcases a plethora of music, dancing, and celebration of Irish heritage. Daniel DiClemente, a student at Stevens Institute in Hoboken, has been going for a few years now.

“The street are crowded, the bars are a mess, but it’s a great event every year. The bars open really early,” said DiClemente. “I saw a guy walking down the street with a Heineken at 8:30 in the morning!”

Another spectator, who made quite the journey from PA, said, “I come almost every year if I can make it. Usually, my granddaughter participates with her Brownie troop. She enjoys it and I enjoy seeing her, so it’s fun. Can’t you tell? I already have six green necklaces!”

Despite all the fun, it can get dangerous, especially when pubs offer unlimited draft beer for 20 dollars. Bars were packed, and young crowds surpassed their alcohol limits. Several days before this year’s parade began, signs were posted everywhere issuing a No Tolerance Policy. Hefty fines would be issued to any violation of conduct including walking (or, in many people’s cases, stumbling) down the street with an open beer and urinating in public.

Luckily for me, I did not witness any fights or unusual events that one might find at a college fraternity party. Yes, people were drunk, and I saw many girls attempting to deal with their drunken emotions, but it appeared to be what they came for! The majority of attendees that I spoke to all agree that it’s worth it and will undoubtedly return next year.

If you missed this year’s Saint Patrick’s Day parade in Hoboken, there are many other processions and festivities occurring in towns near you. Check out StPatricksDay.com for a list of upcoming events and schedules. Enjoy the bagpipes, drums, traditional concessions, and rich heritage. Don’t forget to wear something green!