The 1999 St. Patrick s Festival promises to be the most spectacular yet. It is the official start to Ireland s Millennium celebrations. The celebration boasts a bigger Festival Parade, a Monster Ceili, and the greatest ever pyrotechnic and music show seen in Europe. Speaking of the Mardi Gras-like flavor of the Dublin parade, an interesting contrast is the St. Patrick s Day parade in Metairie , a suburb of New Orleans. One of the South's largest parades is held here and it is much greener than the Dublin parade.
Photos reveal green floats, green hair - green everywhere.
While the colorfulness of the Mardi Gras is not apparent, the tradition of throws is upheld. As anyone who is familiar with the Mardi Gras knows, parade participants and people on balconies throw beads and other items to the begging revelers on the sidewalks. Chicago holds two St. Patrick s Day parades. The South Side Parade debuted in 1979 as a baby buggy parade.