@TuesdayPause | #TakeTime Photo Story by Kristin. St. Patrick’s Day was over a week ago. So, it may seem irrelevant to write about it now. I suppose that’s probably true. I could hold onto these images until next year and use them in early March as encouragement to head downtown to #GoDiscover the 2019 Cleveland St. Patrick’s Day Parade and surrounding festivities. In fact, it’s quite likely I will do just that. But, I also want to share them now.
So, enjoy my street-photography stroll down the Superior Avenue parade route (18th St. to West Broadway). Then follow me as I wander The Arcade, and capture the East 4th Street St. Patty’s scene.
Since I always like encourage you to get out and #GoDiscover, I have a few suggestions for this upcoming Easter weekend. You’ll find them at the end of this post. Happy Belated St. Patrick’s Day! Happy Early Easter!
The Cleveland St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2018
According to stpatricksdaycleveland.com, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade dates back over 175 years in Cleveland. While the location, popularity, organizers, and publicity of the event have changed over that time period, the pride in Irish heritage has not. Since 1958, the United Irish Societies of Greater Cleveland—comprised of representatives from 28 other Irish Organizations—has organized and managed the parade, choosing a different theme each year. The 2018 parade theme paid homage to “Prominent Irish Pioneers of the 20th Century.”
In addition, each year, the United Irish Societies select several honorees, including a Grand Marshal and Irish Mother of the Year. The 2018 committee chose Sheila Murphy Crawford for Grand Marshall and Joan (Hartnett) Reali for Irish Mother of the Year. Sadly I did not manage a photo of this year’s honorees.
We were surprised to see the high participation rate of police, fire and military organizations. A glimpse at the 2018 Line of March makes this evident.
A great day for people watching. I love the quirky fun found in this image of a hot dog stand. Note the guy in the background wearing the green super hero costume juxtaposed again the regular Joe in the foreground showing his assumed Irish heritage in a classic green Ireland ball cap.
The Arcade Cleveland—A Great Place to Stay to Extend the St. Patrick’s Day Festivities
We happened to stumble across a great discovery—staying overnight before and/or after parade day at The Hyatt Regency hotel. If you’ve followed TuesdayPause for any time at all, you know that I like to point out accolades. Well, Cleveland’s Hyatt—located at 420 East Superior Avenue, near Cleveland Public Square and the end of the parade route—is the first Hyatt Regency in Ohio. More importantly, it is the entity responsible for breathing new life into The Arcade at a time when possible demolition loomed. In 2001, the Hyatt corporation renovated and transformed Arcade, beginning the process of rejuvination. The hotel now occupies the top three tiers of The Arcade, plus the towers at both ends.
Hotel guests, dressed for the occasion bring in food for the occasion, decorate outside their rooms with flags, as the gather together to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at The Hyatt Regency, inside The Arcade Cleveland.
So, I suppose you could say that The Hyatt Regency is a benefactor to The Arcade Cleveland and an extension of it. Just remember that hotel keycards provide the only access to the upper three floors, while that the bottom two levels of The Arcade—with its shops and eateries—remain open to the public. In the public space of The Arcade, St. Patrick’s Day visitors can pop in to warm up and grab a bite or beverage, enjoy live Irish music (played much of the day), use public restrooms, or wander the shops and people watch. I spy something green!
St. Patty’s Day Celebrations at Cleveland’s East 4th Street
Possibly the best feature of both The Hyatt Regency and The Arcade are their proximity to all the top spots in Cleveland, including downtown’s top dining and entertainment district—East 4th Street—which lies just across Euclid Avenue. While the crowds at East 4th Street ebbed and flowed throughout the day, at one point this pedestrian street became nearly impassable. Due to this, you might consider gauging the crowd a bit before venturing in, especially if you have children or grandparents with you. You should not have this concern at The Arcade, however.
We spent a good portion of the day at the St. Patrick’s Day Festivities but we did not linger much beyond 5 p.m. Whether it remained suitable for families, I cannot say. But, my guess is that the vibe turned a bit less family friendly. We left the St. Patrick’s Day hoo-haa and head over to the Quicken Loans Arena for another new adventure…The NCAA Wrestling National Championship.
Easter Suggestions — As promised!
Yes, I know this post falls short in that you can’t take action on it until next year. Because of that, I’d like to encourage you to consider something new for Easter this weekend. Consider church and brunch with family and friends. Decorate eggs at home. Yes, even if you don’t have kids or they are grown and out of the house. Adult coloring is now in vogue. So why not adult Easter egg coloring? These, of course, are easy activities to be enjoyed at home. Here are few Easter outings you might enjoy as well, they were the most interesting things I could find on offer this weekend in northeast Ohio. However you choose to celebrate this weekend…Happy Easter!
Eggsperiment. (March 3-31) Great Lakes Science Center
Is it possible to stand on a carton of eggs without cracking any? Find out at Eggsperiment. Also, test your balance on an egg-fashioned obstacle course, explore the science behind sound, and build a contraption to protect your egg from a 62-foot fall in the Humpty Dumpty Plunge. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Great Lakes Science Center, 601 Erieside Ave., Cleveland, greatscience.com
Easter Egg Hunt (March 31) Cleveland Botanical Garden
An Easter Egg Hunt is but one of the activities in the Hershey Children’s Garden. Other activities include crafts, games, and taking photos with the Big Bunny himself! Two hunts—10:30 and 11:15 a.m.. This hugely popular holiday happening is one you won’t want to miss, and sells out quickly so make your reservations today! Register in advance online or by phone 216.721.1600 x100. RAIN OR SHINE—DRESS FOR THE WEATHER, BRING A BASKET FOR THE HUNT!
Spring Fling. Enjoy a brunch on the farm followed by egg hunting for the children. Then stay for Spring Fling at noon. Shearing also begins at noon. 10 a.m. The Spicy Lamb Farm, 6560 Akron-Peninsula Road, Peninsula, thespicylamb.com
it encouragement to do something this week or next month that you’ve intended to do for a long time but haven’t yet made it happen, or at least, not for some time now. Easter is this weekend. Perhaps, you could do something special surrounding Easter. Northeast Ohio Family Fun has a list of Easter Egg Hunts and More.
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What to Know Before You Go — St. Patty’s Parade
When: Sunday, March 17 2019 at 2:04 pm
Parade Route: Superior Avenue (18th St. to West Broadway) in Downtown Cleveland
Cost: Free, of course
Parking: multiple lots all over town, consider arriving early
More Info: stpatricksdaycleveland.com