Posted by: Richie Bernardo

Unless you’re familiar with the real history of St. Patrick’s Day, you might think it’s simply a day to wear green, drink at an Irish pub and follow a leprechaun to its pot of gold. But if you participate in at least one of those activities on March 17, you’re in fact partaking in a celebration of the Irish heritage of 33.1 million Americans, far more than the population of Ireland itself.

And while historians might disagree on where and when the first ever St. Patrick’s Day parade actually took place — whether in Boston in 1737 or in New York City in 1762 but certainly not in Ireland — the holiday has definitely spread across the U.S. as one of its biggest cultural celebrations. Cities from coast to coast have cultivated their own St. Paddy’s Day traditions throughout the centuries. Some cities famously dye their rivers green. Others put on carnivals, pageants, concerts, block parties, pub crawls and even long processions of marching bagpipers.

But the luck of the Irish isn’t evenly distributed across America. If you’re looking for a smashing time on March 17, you might have to stray from home. In honor of St. Patrick’s Day and Irish-American Heritage Month, WalletHub’s number crunchers compared the 100 largest cities across 17 key metrics to find out which among them are worthy of the Irish’s approval when it comes to celebrating their ancestry. Our data set ranges from “number of Irish pubs and restaurants per capita” to “lowest price for a three-star hotel on St. Patrick’s Day” to “weather forecast” for the holiday. Scroll down for the winners, expert commentary and a full description of how we ranked the cities.

1. Main Findings
2. Ask the Experts
3. Methodology

Main Findings

Embed on your website<iframe src="//d2e70e9yced57e.cloudfront.net/wallethub/embed/19603/geochart-patrick.html" width="556" height="347" frameBorder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> <div style="width:556px;font-size:12px;color:#888;">Source: <a href="http://ift.tt/2mF1inH;  

Overall Rank	City	Total Score	‘St. Patrick’s Day Traditions’ Rank	‘Costs’ Rank	‘Safety & Accessibility’ Rank	‘St. Patrick’s Day Weather’ Rank
1	Boston, MA	71.16	1	67	9	24
2	Buffalo, NY	70.14	2	16	23	17
3	Omaha, NE	66.32	5	15	30	48
4	Philadelphia, PA	63.97	11	29	6	7
5	Pittsburgh, PA	63.07	8	80	11	3
6	Tampa, FL	62.60	3	76	48	51
7	Madison, WI	61.66	10	19	14	76
8	Lincoln, NE	61.32	25	5	8	43
9	Gilbert, AZ	61.31	22	49	22	7
10	St. Paul, MN	60.53	9	77	3	72
11	Scottsdale, AZ	60.45	23	8	75	5
12	Seattle, WA	60.44	7	90	40	52
13	Chandler, AZ	59.80	18	70	28	7
14	St. Louis, MO	59.78	4	25	95	90
15	Cincinnati, OH	59.26	19	24	60	13
16	Atlanta, GA	59.14	6	93	78	36
17	Denver, CO	58.76	13	21	32	97
18	Kansas City, MO	58.35	16	6	63	84
19	Fort Wayne, IN	58.22	29	41	43	1
20	Minneapolis, MN	58.03	20	30	13	70
21	Boise, ID	57.85	55	10	2	52
22	Cleveland, OH	56.77	27	32	49	13
23	Milwaukee, WI	56.15	34	7	46	48
24	Reno, NV	56.11	37	4	15	68
25	Lexington-Fayette, KY	55.88	30	51	51	20
26	Portland, OR	55.57	24	46	21	59
27	Mesa, AZ	55.49	46	14	38	26
28	Tulsa, OK	55.48	15	27	66	95
29	Orlando, FL	55.27	21	18	94	36
30	Henderson, NV	55.24	31	78	42	26
31	New York, NY	55.21	28	97	1	16
32	Chesapeake, VA	54.42	59	65	19	28
33	Chicago, IL	54.19	12	100	12	24
34	Columbus, OH	54.16	44	13	27	20
35	St. Petersburg, FL	53.97	17	71	93	43
36	San Francisco, CA	53.56	14	99	31	78
37	Laredo, TX	53.54	99	2	7	36
38	Toledo, OH	53.34	38	22	70	20
39	Washington, DC	53.20	33	87	56	2
40	Las Vegas, NV	52.99	32	72	59	46
41	Virginia Beach, VA	52.99	41	82	34	17
42	Albuquerque, NM	52.79	50	1	62	85
43	Indianapolis, IN	52.28	39	20	86	28
44	Oklahoma City, OK	52.08	36	3	64	98
45	Baltimore, MD	52.06	54	57	16	11
46	Colorado Springs, CO	51.90	49	12	57	42
47	New Orleans, LA	51.72	26	36	85	77
48	Tucson, AZ	51.71	51	28	74	23
49	Jersey City, NJ	51.53	61	60	4	45
50	Louisville, KY	51.48	42	38	72	13
51	Charlotte, NC	51.16	40	43	87	28
52	Newark, NJ	50.82	60	64	41	33
53	Glendale, AZ	50.72	71	11	69	7
54	Norfolk, VA	50.61	48	65	79	11
55	Phoenix, AZ	50.38	68	8	47	6
56	San Diego, CA	50.34	53	61	5	60
57	Corpus Christi, TX	49.88	58	37	88	35
58	Nashville, TN	49.12	45	45	77	57
59	Raleigh, NC	48.76	43	83	73	36
60	Wichita, KS	47.64	57	17	82	73
61	Anaheim, CA	47.55	63	84	37	60
62	Lubbock, TX	47.01	56	75	80	69
63	Garland, TX	46.60	74	63	53	91
64	Anchorage, AK	46.50	65	92	55	50
65	Chula Vista, CA	46.20	95	74	10	60
66	Austin, TX	46.14	35	91	90	71
67	Winston-Salem, NC	45.93	77	44	71	28
68	Durham, NC	45.86	81	42	54	36
69	Irvine, CA	45.63	90	86	24	60
70	Irving, TX	45.35	80	54	67	86
71	El Paso, TX	45.18	88	59	44	33
72	Honolulu, HI	45.15	47	95	25	96
73	Jacksonville, FL	44.83	73	52	91	17
74	Miami, FL	44.80	67	81	50	47
75	Sacramento, CA	44.64	66	56	35	81
76	Baton Rouge, LA	44.48	62	31	89	74
77	Arlington, TX	44.36	70	68	83	79
78	Greensboro, NC	44.33	87	33	58	28
79	North Las Vegas, NV	44.27	91	72	61	41
80	Fort Worth, TX	44.20	52	48	100	88
81	Bakersfield, CA	44.09	92	62	52	55
82	Aurora, CO	44.09	82	40	29	80
83	Houston, TX	43.47	64	35	96	67
84	Fresno, CA	43.31	89	53	45	75
85	Stockton, CA	42.39	94	47	65	91
86	Long Beach, CA	42.21	78	89	36	55
87	Detroit, MI	42.17	93	26	84	4
88	Los Angeles, CA	42.16	85	55	33	89
89	Plano, TX	41.98	83	58	26	91
90	San Antonio, TX	41.71	75	23	92	54
91	Santa Ana, CA	41.15	98	84	18	60
92	Fremont, CA	41.08	86	98	20	81
93	Hialeah, FL	40.97	100	69	17	58
94	Riverside, CA	40.75	84	96	68	60
95	Memphis, TN	40.57	69	34	99	99
96	Oakland, CA	40.09	76	94	81	86
97	Dallas, TX	39.82	79	50	76	91
98	San Jose, CA	39.53	96	79	39	81
99	Birmingham, AL	36.51	72	39	97	100
100	San Bernardino, CA	35.42	97	88	98	60

Ask the Experts

As one of the biggest holidays in the U.S., St. Patrick’s Day can bring a sizeable economic boost to cities but problems as well, particularly those related to safety. For insight and advice on such matters, we turned to a panel of experts. Click on their profiles to read their bios and thoughts on the following key questions:

1. Why is St. Patrick's Day so popular in the U.S.?
2. Are large St. Patrick’s Day celebrations an economic boon or economic drain for cities?
3. What are some social and economic considerations for cities considering hosting St. Patrick’s Day celebrations?
4. How can local authorities promote safety and reduce alcohol-related accidents on St. Patrick’s Day?

< >

• Frank Cabano Doctoral Candidate and Instructor of Marketing at the University of Kansas School of Business
• Lisa Gabbert Associate Professor of English and Director of the Folklore Program at Utah State University
• Daniel F. Melia Professor Emeritus of Rhetoric and Celtic Studies at University of California, Berkeley
• Philip M. Freeman Professor in Classics at Luther College
• Julie Byrne Hartman Chair of Catholic Studies and Associate Professor of Religion at Hofstra University

Frank Cabano Doctoral Candidate and Instructor of Marketing at the University of Kansas School of Business Why is St. Patrick's Day so popular in the United States? St Patrick’s Day is indeed popular in the US, and not just for people originally from Ireland or of Irish descent. It seems that it is so popular because of the festive secular celebrations that go along with it. For example, in honor of the holiday, people like to wear green, wear leprechaun hats, and drink a lot of (green) beer. Many cities have parades and even paint their rivers green. These activities are not common on an everyday basis, so St Patrick’s Day gives people new and “cool” things to experience. Are large St. Patrick’s Day celebrations an economic boon or economic drain for cities? As long as there is not a lot of violence and vandalism from people who are intoxicated, I think St Patrick’s Day celebrations can help cities economically. Large celebrations can attract people from all over the country and world, so that helps a city’s tourism. Also, there is a lot of consumption of alcohol and food in nearby restaurants, which help a city. However, the large police presence necessary at such events can be economically costly, especially if citizens vandalize any property. Even more, the social costs can be high with such events, as people may get violent with each other when they are drunk and in close-proximity with one another. Also, there is likely to be underage drinking and maybe drunk driving that obviously cities like to avoid. So large celebrations are not completely beneficial or costly, either in terms of economics or socially, but are instead a combination of both. Generally, I think they are helpful for the city’s economy and spirits, as long as there is a proper police presence that can monitor any alcohol-related incidents. How can local authorities promote safety and reduce alcohol related accidents on St. Patrick’s Day? Local authorities can promote safety by maintaining proper police oversight over any celebrations the city may have. They might also run more public campaigns during the week leading up to the holiday warning people to not drink and drive and about the dangers of binge drinking in general. They may also want to remind people of the more sacred meaning behind the holiday, as it is recognized as a holiday for many religions such as Catholicism. Since psychological research shows that reminding people of sacred things (like church or God) makes them act more moral or “good” in nature, even if they don’t believe in religion/God, local authorities reminding citizens of the religious nature of the holiday might help curb any negative behaviors. Lisa Gabbert Associate Professor of English and Director of the Folklore Program at Utah State University Why is St. Patrick's Day so popular in the United States? St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, and St. Patrick’s Day is his traditional feast day in the religious calendar. In the United States, however, St. Patrick’s Day is less a religious holiday per se than a celebration of “Irishness” — Irish ethnicity and Irish identity — although it is associated with Catholicism as well. Ireland has long sent waves of immigrants to the US. In the mid-19th century alone, between 500,000 – 600,000 Irish immigrated to the US to escape the Potato Famine and over the past two hundred years approximately 4.7 million Irish have immigrated to the United States. Therefore, large numbers of Americans claim some connection to Ireland as part of their ancestry or heritage. Historically, St. Patrick’s Day in America has been a way for Irish communities to recall connections to Ireland. Over time, St. Patrick’s Day has become a very American holiday; today, it is largely a festive rite of spring — green being the appropriate spring color — characterized by the performance of “Irishness” through the use of (often stereotyped) symbols. Many people, not merely those with ancestral connections to Ireland, enjoy “being Irish” for the day, as it is a way to celebrate Irish music and culture, along with better weather. The popularity of ancient “Celtic” identity plays into its popularity as well, as celebrating St. Patrick’s Day is a way to feel ethnically European. What are some social and economic considerations for cities considering hosting St. Patrick’s Day celebrations? Like other public celebrations, St. Patrick’s Day festivities have not been without controversy. In the early 20th century, St. Patrick’s Day was an assertion of Irishness in the face of anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic sentiment. St. Patrick’s Day also has been a means to express political views, such as support for Irish nationalism. Tensions also exist between a conservative Catholic viewpoint and a desire for inclusiveness, exemplified by the conflict over whether or not gay and lesbian people should be allowed to march in St. Patrick’s Day parades. Similarly, some African American communities have felt that St. Patrick’s Day aggravates racial tensions. It is important to note that St. Patrick’s Day is not a national holiday. Historically, it has been celebrated in areas with large Irish or Irish American populations, such as New York, South Boston, and Chicago, but those celebrations (e.g., the parades) are organized by private, religious, or fraternal organizations, such as the Ancient Order of Hibernians, veterans organizations, and local unions. Organizers should therefore attempt to identify and include the various potential stakeholders and consider issues of diversity and inclusiveness in planning. How can local authorities promote safety and reduce alcohol related accidents on St. Patrick’s Day? Legend has it that St. Patrick introduced the distilling of spirits to Ireland and drinking (or, at least the toasting of St. Patrick) on St. Patrick’s Day is long-standing tradition. Today St. Patrick’s Day is characterized by social license and inversion, which is typical for celebrations of spring. In this way, it also is similar to Halloween, New Year’s, and Mardi Gras, which also occur during seasonal transitions. So it would be counterproductive to attempt to outlaw drinking or discourage it entirely. However, authorities certainly can encourage people to drink responsibly and, for those who have overindulged, provide access to safe forms of transportation home. Additionally, organizers should consider offering family-oriented activities and alternative forms of celebration for people who may not want to spend time in bars. Daniel F. Melia Professor Emeritus of Rhetoric and Celtic Studies at University of California, Berkeley Why is St. Patrick's Day so popular in the United States? Although originally celebrated in the 13 colonies by British soldiers and Protestant immigrants, St. Patrick's Day parades became large political events only in the 19th century in cities like Boston, NY, Chicago, and Philadelphia with large Irish Catholic immigrant populations. It was then, and still is, largely a display of political power by immigrants. St. Patrick's Day is popular in the US in the same culturally weak way that, say, Cinco de Mayo is: as a recognition of a no longer threatening immigrant culture. ("Kiss me, I'm Irish.") In Ireland the day was until the 1990s largely a religious holiday, although some local organizations had small parades and fairs. In the 1990s, the national government decided that there was money to be made from tourists and since then has held heavily promoted parades and events in Dublin and other large cities. What are some social and economic considerations for cities considering hosting St. Patrick’s Day celebrations? Because of the folkloric association of the Irish and drinking ("Seven course Irish dinner: a potato and a six-pack of Guinness,") which, along with sentimentality, is about all that is left of Irish stereotyping in the U.S., security and sanitation are obviously extra expenses for any city and a St. Patrick's Day parade. Politically, it is necessary (and probably socially good, as well) that in the U.S. we pay tribute to a variety of immigrant groups and other ethnic groups in a public way. How can local authorities promote safety and reduce alcohol related accidents on St. Patrick’s Day? In the short run, I doubt that they can successfully promote safety and reduce alcohol related accidents on St. Patrick’s Day. Parties are hard to stop. Public Service announcements ("Liam Neeson says, "Have a safe and sane St. Pat's Day!") are useless in the short term, and heavy visible police activity is probably politically unthinkable. Automobile accidents might be reduced with New Year's Eve type breathalyzer checkpoints, but that would be expensive and would not do much to stop idiots from drinking toxic amounts of alcohol and/or falling off things. Philip M. Freeman Professor in Classics at Luther College Why is St. Patrick's Day so popular in the United States? The modern holiday of St. Patrick's Day was basically invented in the US. It had always been a small religious holiday in Ireland, but when Irish immigrants began to arrive in large numbers in the 1800s, they banded together and began to hold parades and festivals in honor of St. Patrick and the old country. In the 1900s, these expanded beyond Irish-Americans and became a party day for people of every ethnic background. Julie Byrne Hartman Chair of Catholic Studies and Associate Professor of Religion at Hofstra University Why is St. Patrick's Day so popular in the United States? It’s a combination of the great number of people of Irish heritage in the United States, and the ease and fun of the customs to absolutely everyone. Have a parade, eat, drink, and color everything green, from your clothes and your beer to fountains and whole rivers, in the case of Chicago. It used to be a way for Irish to celebrate Ireland and the new country of America at the same time. But now everyone is “adopted" as Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.

Methodology

In order to identify the best cities for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, WalletHub’s analysts compared the 100 most populated cities across four key dimensions: 1) St. Patrick’s Day Traditions, 2) Costs, 3) Safety & Accessibility and 4) St. Patrick’s Day Weather.

First, we compiled 17 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was given a value between 0 and 100, wherein 100 is the best value for that metric and 0 is the worst.

We then calculated the overall score for each city using the weighted average across all metrics and ranked them accordingly.

St. Patrick’s Day Traditions – Total Points: 50

• St. Patrick’s Day Parades: Full Weight (~4.55 Points)
• Time Since the First Parade: Full Weight (~4.55 Points)Note: This metric measures the difference between 2016 and the year when the city's first St. Patrick's Day parade was held.
• Number of Saint Patrick’s Day Parties & Festivals per 100,000 Residents: Full Weight (~4.55 Points)
• Percentage of Irish Population: Triple Weight (~13.64 Points)
• Number of Irish Pubs & Restaurants per 100,000 Residents: Triple Weight (~13.64 Points)
• “Access to Bars” Grade: Full Weight (~4.55 Points)Notes: This grade is a combination of bars per 100,000 residents and bars per square mile, a measure of both availability (per capita) and proximity (per square mile).
• Number of Saint Patrick’s-Themed Races: Full Weight (~4.55 Points)

Costs – Total Points: 20

• Average Price per Saint Patrick’s Day Party Ticket: Full Weight (~3.33 Points)
• Average Beer Price (Heineken’s, 6-pack, 12-oz. containers, excluding any deposit): Triple Weight (~10 Points)
• Average Potato Price: Full Weight (~3.33 Points)
• Lowest Price of a Three-Star Hotel on St. Patrick’s Day: Full Weight (~3.33 Points)

Safety & Accessibility – Total Points: 20

• Crime Rate (Neighborhood Security): Full Weight (~5 Points)
• Number of DUI-Related Fatal Incidents per 100,000 Residents: Full Weight (~5 Points)
• Traffic Congestion: Full Weight (~5 Points)
• Walkability: Full Weight (~5 Points)

St. Patrick’s Day Weather – Total Points: 10

• Difference Between the Average Forecasted Temperature for St. Patrick’s Day & the Average Normal Temperature for This Time Period: Full Weight (~5 Points)
• Forecasted Precipitations for St. Patrick’s Day: Full Weight (~5 Points)

 

Sources: Data used to create these rankings were collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, the Council for Community and Economic Research, Eventbrite, Running in the USA, Kayak.com, Walk Score, St-Patricks-Day.com, each city’s official page for its “St. Patrick’s Day Parade,” Yelp and AccuWeather.

from Wallet HubWallet Hub


via Finance Xpress