San Luis Obispo went all out celebrating St. Patrick’s day twenty years ago. Photo courtesy of Mustang News.

  Saint Patrick’s Day is today and San Luis Obispo High School students need to gear up for what is sure to be a great day. People in SLO have gone crazy for this annual holiday in the past.

  March 17 will be full of green drinks, pinching, and other special traditions that are staples of this worldwide holiday. The most well-known tradition is that if you don’t wear green… you get pinched.

  Saint Patrick’s Day is a worldwide celebration, based originally in Ireland. The celebration started in 1631 when the Church established a Feast Day on March 17 honoring Saint Patrick. Saint Patrick became a saint while held in captivity in Ireland.

  Now, it is celebrated worldwide– especially here in SLO. Many celebrate St. Patrick’s Day annually with their loved ones.

  “My dad immigrated from Ireland. I have a feast with my family and eat a lot of candy,” said freshman Owen O’Connor.

  However, not everyone who celebrates St. Patrick’s Day has an Irish background.

  “I don’t come from an Irish background, but I do get mistaken as Irish all the time. I’m a redhead, so I get made fun of. I celebrate St. Patrick’s day- but only for the pinching,” said freshman Trey Walter.

  Many students celebrate this holiday by pinching others. This may scare others who are deathly afraid of getting pinched.

  “This year I am definitely wearing green. In the past, I have gotten pinched and I didn’t want to,” said sophomore Tanyon Kubinski.

  With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, let’s make sure to embrace the holiday’s festive spirit while also showing respect for its cultural significance and history.

  Whether Irish or not, let’s all have a great time and celebrate safely with friends and family. Make sure to wear green, Tigers!

Sources: time.com, mustangnews.net