From shamrocks to rainbows, there’s a deeper meaning behind St. Patrick’s Day traditions
So, we all know that when St. Patrick’s Day rolls around, our social media feeds light up like a Christmas tree with images of leprechauns, shamrocks, and pots of gold at the end of rainbows, right? But have you ever stopped to wonder why?
Winter Garden woman tests positive for COVID-19 between vaccine doses
Fla. – A Florida woman says she was diagnosed with COVID-19 after she received her first dose of the vaccine. Gladys Mackroy, 60, of Winter Garden, said the first dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine did not prevent her from contracting the coronavirus. At the hospital, she was told to consult her doctor after one to two days. Data by the New England Journal of Medicine found infection can occur among partially and completely vaccinated people. The study indicates 112 out of 6,144 partially vaccinated people in the study contracted the infection, yet only 4 out of 8,121 fully vaccinated people in the study became infected.
Central Florida bar owners holding on to ‘Irish luck’ on St. Patrick’s Day
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Bar owners in Downtown Orlando Wednesday spent the day loading up on beer and green St. Patrick’s Day beads for what they hope will be a better holiday than last year. Bars in Central Florida were ordered to close on St. Patrick’s Day in 2020 due to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a busy day today. “I think there is a fine line there,” Griffin said. Hey says they will be out on St. Patrick’s Day into the night.
Here’s how to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Central Florida’s theme parks
Wednesday marks St. Patrick’s Day, and Central Florida’s theme parks are the perfect place to celebrate with both family and friends. While visiting Universal Orlando Resort be sure to head to Universal Studios to check out Finnegan’s Bar and Grill. Fuzzy Leprechaun (Universal Orlando Blog)One drink that Universal Orlando recently showcased in its blog was called the Fuzzy Leprechaun. Each year, the restaurant throws its biggest party of the year, the Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival. Available at Gasparilla Island Grill, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (Disney Parks Blog)Walt Disney World resorts are also celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.
Guinness donates to Orlando’s Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
One of the organizations selected was Orlando’s Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. Officials baked and donated “brewers bread” to an area food bank when food scarcity concerns began to rise. “We are so grateful to Guinness for their incredibly generous donation to feed those who are facing hunger in Central Florida. Their support locally will provide over 200,000 meals to help children, families, seniors put food on their table in the coming weeks,” a Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida spokesperson said. Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida has a number of ways you can help, including making a financial donation, volunteering or organizing a food and fun drive.
Hope St. Patrick likes it hot. Orlando area to reach highs near 90
ORLANDO, Fla. – The rest of the country may be green with envy at the Central Florida forecast, which seems appropriate on St. Patrick’s Day. Expect highs near 90 in Orlando on Wednesday, with no chance of rain. The record high in Orlando on this date is 93, set in 1921. High temperatures will again be near 90 on Thursday, but rain chances jump to 40% at night as a new front comes through the region. For the weekend, it will be dry, with highs in the mid-70s for most of Central Florida.
Biden recommits to Good Friday accord on St. Patrick's Day
President Joe Biden speaks during a virtual meeting with Ireland's Prime Minister Micheal Martin on St. Patrick's Day, in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, March 17, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden marked St. Patrick’s Day on Wednesday by recommitting the U.S. to the Good Friday Agreement, which has come under increasing stress following the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union. Before the meeting, the president attended a morning Mass at the aptly named St. Patrick’s Church near his family home in Wilmington, Delaware, then returned to the White House to partake in the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, which were toned down due to the coronavirus pandemic. In keeping with recent tradition, the water in fountains outside the White House ran green for the day. Biden and Martin also emphasized their commitment to addressing global challenges and combating the coronavirus, among other issues, the White House said.
Temperatures will continue to warm up this week in Central Florida
ORLANDO, Fla. – The heat is still building in Central Florida. For St. Patrick’s Day on Wednesday, Central Florida is looking at more heat. Thursday the high goes to 90 degrees. Late Thursday, a cold front marches into Central Florida from the Gulf of Mexico. By Friday, Central Florida goes right back to partly cloudy sky conditions and dry conditions.
It’s getting hot in here: Orlando to see days of highs near 90
Sunrise Service at Serenata Beach in South Ponte Vedra Beach, FL at the Christ Church at Serenata Service. ORLANDO, Fla. – Although spring arrives Saturday, it will feel more like summer for the next few days in Central Florida. Expect highs in the upper 80s in Orlando on Tuesday and Wednesday, which is St. Patrick’s Day. The average high in Orlando on this date is 78. Orlando has a rain deficit of 3.01 inches in 2021.
Crowds come in steady stream for Bike Week, spring break in Volusia County
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – As businesses are still recovering from a year of shutdowns and lower capacity restrictions, Daytona Beach is coming off Bike Week and just in time for spring break and St. Patrick’s Day. Bob Davis, president of the Lodging and Hospitality Association in Volusia County, said not only is it looking like most of the beachside hotels and resorts will be sold out this weekend for spring break, but it was one of the best Bike Weeks they’ve ever had for revenue. “The greatest part of that was bringing back all the furloughed employees and the laid off employees,’ he said. Signs encouraging social distancing are posted at all boardwalks. “We’re not really enforcing anything as far as social distancing.
Better luck next year: St. Patrick’s Day parade in Winter Park canceled
WINTER PARK, Fla. – As the coronavirus pandemic continues, yet another event has been called off: the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in Winter Park. City officials announced in a tweet on Wednesday that the parade committee canceled the celebration, typically held on Park Avenue on the first Sunday of March. [TRENDING: Tiger Woods’ leg shattered in rollover crash | Orlando City player faces sex charge | Woman loses $100,000 to romance conman]Historically held on the first Sunday in March, the 2021 St. Patrick's Day Parade has been canceled by the decision of the committee. We look forward to bringing the luck of the Irish back to Park Avenue in 2022. 🍀 pic.twitter.com/rRGoDDgS34 — City of Winter Park (@WinterParkFla) February 24, 2021Officials said they hope the event returns in 2022.
McDonald’s is bringing back its Shamrock Shake in February
Even though St. Patrick’s Day is more than a month away, McDonald’s is already preparing to bring back its Shamrock Shake. Beginning Feb. 15, the fan-favorite will go on sale at locations for a limited time, as well as the Oreo Shamrock McFlurry. McDonald’s first started selling the Shamrock Shake in 1970. [TRENDING: Even colder air on the way | Latest on $1,400 economic relief payments | Bars, nightclubs continue to disobey local COVID-19 rules]The Shamrock Shake is part of a big month for McDonald’s, which is expected to roll out three new chicken sandwiches on Feb. 24.
Out of this world ways astronauts celebrate holidays in space
There may not be family feasts or boughs of holly, but astronauts still manage to find creative ways to celebrate holidays while they’re orbiting the Earth. Come Nov. 15, four astronauts will launch on SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft atop a Falcon 9 rocket and head for the International Space Station, where they’ll stay for about six months. Space Station (@Space_Station) November 25, 2019Last year, NASA astronauts Christina Koch, Jessica Meir and Andrew Morgan were happy to let Russian astronauts Aleksandr Skvortsov and Oleg Skripochka and Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano in on their American traditions. New Year’sAccording to Kelly, New Year’s is actually a bigger deal than Christmas on the International Space Station because all the astronauts on board celebrate it at the same time. You can hear his International Space Station rendition of the Irish ballad here.
Downtown Orlando bars close, adjust hours after governor orders statewide closures
ORLANDO, Fla. – For many bar-goers, their St. Patrick’s Day festivities in downtown Orlando were canceled after Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered all bars and nightclubs to shutter their doors due to the coronavirus. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer also issued an executive order Tuesday, banning alcohol sales at bars and restaurants throughout the city but later said the city would follow the state-wide executive order. [MORE: Central Florida breweries adapt after Florida bars ordered to close amid coronavirus pandemic | Interactive map shows Florida coronavirus cases in real time]Dyer’s executive order differed from the governor’s restrictions, which ordered all bars and clubs to close for 30 days statewide though some may be able to sell food. To keep up with the latest news on the pandemic, subscribe to News 6′s coronavirus newsletter or go to ClickOrlando.com/coronavirus.
Can you fathom no St. Patrick’s Day celebrations at pubs in Ireland?
A St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland without celebrations at local pubs? Yes, it is true, and just the latest example of how serious the coronavirus pandemic has become. The Irish government sent a release Sunday asking all pubs be closed from Sunday night until March 29 to help quell the spread of the coronavirus. St. Patrick’s Day celebrations surely will be affected around the world, and it’s hard to imagine you can’t even go to a pub in the heart of Ireland anymore to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. But that once again emphasizes the seriousness of the pandemic and the sacrifices so many are making.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day all month long with Chili’s $5 Lucky Jameson margaritas
Want to start celebrating St. Patrick’s Day a little early? Chili’s featured margarita of the month will help do just that. The restaurant’s $5 margarita for March is called Lucky Jameson. Sip on a mix of Jameson Irish Whiskey, Lunazul Blanco Tequila, Triple Sec and fresh sour. To celebrate its 45th birthday, you can drink $3.13 Presidente margaritas on March 13.