On March 17th if you forget to wear green to your school or place of work at Smith Mountain Lake, someone is likely to give you a hard time about it, because that is St. Patrick’s Day. Over the years, the origins of many of our modern traditions often get lost. While I am sure that many people at the lake will join in the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day in some small way, most may not know the story behind it. (Read to end for some local St. Patrick’s Day activities.)

Most scholars agree that Saint Patrick was born around the 4th century, kidnapped from his home in the British Isles and sold into slavery at about 16 years of age. His job was to care for the sheep and during those 6 lonely years of slavery before he escaped, he turned to His Creator for comfort.

Once Patrick escaped and returned to his homeland, he studied at a religious school and decided to become a priest. Then he traveled to Ireland after a dream in which the Irish people begged him to come and help them find Christ. He was arrested for this missionary work several times, but managed to get free and continued setting up schools and churches to aid in the establishment of Christianity.

Patrick’s mission in Ireland lasted for thirty years. It is believe he died in the 5th century on March 17, which is the day St. Patrick’s Day is commemorated each year. Oh, and the use of the Shamrock, (which resembles a 3 leaf clover) started when Patrick used the leaf to illustrate the Trinity, one leaf each for the Father, Son and Spirit.  

Mar 15 - Amazement Square presents Green Eggs and Ham - 12:00pm to 2:00pm- Location: Imagination Studio, Cost: $3.00 a person Do you like them here or there, do you like them at the Square? Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day a little early this year with our Green Eggs and Ham Cookout! Come decked in green and enjoy this delightful dish. If you will eat them at the Square, you will eat them anywhere! Call the museum to reserve a spot for this event! - Amazement Square, 27 Ninth Street, Downtown Lynchburg - 434-845-1888 - www.amazementsquare.org

Mar 15 - Saint Patrick’s Day Parade and Celtic Festival - The Second largest St. Patrick’s celebration in the Mid-Atlantic, with a huge parade followed by festival with vendors, live music, food and beverages. Parade noon - 1:00pm. Festival 11:00am to 5:00pm. Parade is free and adult festival tickets are $4.00, children under 12 are free. - Downtown Roanoke - 540-342-2640 - www.eventzone.org

Mar 15 - Mar 17 - Saint Patrick’s Day at Peaks of Otter Winery- Visit our winery wearing green and receive an extra discount on wines. We call it the “Luck of the Irish”. Free Noon-5p.m. - Peaks of Otter Winery, 2122 Sheep Creek Road, Bedford - 540-586-3707 - www.peaksofotterwinery.com