🍀 Magically Delicious: How East Tennessee Won St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day may have started in Ireland as a solemn nod to their patron saint, but let’s be honest—by the time it crossed the Atlantic and settled into American soil, it turned into a glittery, green, slightly chaotic celebration of all things lucky, loud, and leprechaun-adjacent. And this year, my corner of east Tennessee said, “Oh, you want festive? Hold my green beer.”

Not one but two St. Paddy’s Day festivals popped up this weekend—one in Jonesborough (Tennessee’s oldest town and proud of it) and another just down the road in Johnson City. Did we pick between them? Absolutely not. We’re overachievers. We got up earl and hit them both like two people on a mission from St. Patrick himself.

💚 Dressing the Part (Some of Us More Than Others)

We didn’t dare leave the house without wearing green. The S.O. did his part—green shirt, green beads, respectable effort. But this Irish girl? Oh, I went full shamrock chic. Green shirt, green necklace, green glasses, green pin, green head bobble… If it was green and within reach, it was on my body. I looked like the human embodiment of a Lucky Charms box, and I regret nothing.

🐮Highland Cows, Celtic Tunes & Questionable T-Shirts

We petted Highland cows (because obviously), listened to Celtic music, indulged in treats, and yes—sampled a green beer or two. The locals showed up in their finest comedic t-shirts. My favorites?

• “The Tallest Leprechaun” on a man who absolutely cleared 6’5”.

• “If you pinch me, I’ll punch you” on a woman I absolutely believed.

The fountains were dyed green, the weather was warm for once (after a week of whiplashing between 82 degrees and snow), and the whole day felt like Tennessee decided to cosplay as Dublin.

🌈 A Day Full of Green & Good Company

Between the people-watching, the live music, the sunshine, and the excellent company, this St. Patrick’s Day was—dare I say it—magically delicious. My favorite color everywhere I looked, the S.O. beside me, and a whole community leaning into the fun.

Wherever you found yourself this weekend, I hope you caught a little Irish luck too. And if not, don’t worry—this Irish girl has enough green to share.