It’s a great day for the Irish – and everyone else! – when St. Patrick’s Day rolls around in New Orleans. Colorful parades and parties celebrating the “Auld Sod” make a vibrant follow up to Mardi Gras.

New Orleans, with a long Irish heritage dating back to the 1840s and 1850s, tops all American cities in celebrating the festive Emerald Isle holiday. In New Orleans Saint Patrick’s day celebrations go on for ten days, featuring six parades and blowout block parties in the aptly-named Irish Channel section of the city.

The largest of the St. Patrick’s Day parades passes along Metairie Road.  Merry makers from various clubs in the city dress in green and pass out paper flowers, beads, moon-pies and kisses to lucky parade-goers. Float riders costumed in customary green garb and green leprechaun derby hats respond to the call, "Throw me something, Mister!" and  pass down cabbages, potatoes, carrots, onions, and even packaged seasonings. By the time the parade has passed, if the luck of the Irish is with you, you’ll have enough ingredients to go home and make a traditional Irish stew! Parade-goers bring plenty of large sturdy shopping bags and feast for days afterwards!