Tag: st. patrick’s day

House of Ireland celebration in Balboa Park!

You know St. Patrick’s Day is coming up in San Diego, because the House of Ireland had their big lawn program this afternoon in Balboa Park!

What did I see?

Smiles throughout the big crowd! Lots of green! Irish coffee! Irish stew! Traditional baked goods! A rousing opening parade involving all of the event participants! The Cameron Highlanders with bagpipes and drums! Sprightly tunes! Energetic step dancing! Reels and jigs! The audience clapping along to the music!

If you missed it, I suggest you catch the House of Ireland lawn program next year!

I learned that San Diego Comhaltas is looking for new members. This group loves to perform Irish music and dance! Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of traditional Irish culture!

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Fun photographs for St. Patrick’s Day!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Please enjoy this selection of fun photographs taken in San Diego over the course of many years. All pertain to St. Patrick’s Day, Ireland or Irish pride. There’s a bit of green in all of them!

If you’d like to see photos from this year’s big St. Patrick’s Day parade in San Diego, check out my blog post from last weekend here!

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You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

Photos at St. Patrick’s Day Parade in San Diego!

San Diego’s big annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Festival is underway today!

This morning, before the start of the parade, equestrian groups, marching bands from schools around Southern California, cheerfully green-decked floats and all the smiling participants were gathering along Sixth Avenue in Bankers Hill. And families were setting up chairs along the sidewalk getting ready to watch!

As is often do, I walked the short distance up from downtown San Diego to photograph some of the pre-parade color!

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Here’s the Cool San Diego Sights main page, where you can read the most current blog posts.  If you’re using a phone or small mobile device, click those three parallel lines up at the top–that opens up my website’s sidebar, where you’ll see the most popular posts, a search box, and more!

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Gaslamp gets ready for St. Patrick’s Day.

I walked through the Gaslamp Quarter this afternoon and noticed several bars, eateries and shops are ready for St. Patrick’s Day tomorrow! All sorts of Irish green could be seen as I walked down the sidewalk.

(Unfortunately, I also noticed numerous places appear to have closed permanently, most likely due to the prolonged COVID-19 lockdowns.)

Lucky’s shamrock isn’t green, but apparently it’s lucky anyway!
I’m not sure if that’s a case of green beer, but it seems worth a video, anyway!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Cool photo memories from March 2016.

We’ve stepped into a new month, so it’s time to look back at some of the things Cool San Diego Sights featured five years ago!

Back in March 2016 there was a whole lot going on in San Diego!

The following links will take you to photographs of various events and places of interest that you might enjoy seeing again. Unless, of course, you’re new to my blog. In that case, you’ll see these photos for the very first time!

Click the following links for lots of photographs…

Mountain men, a gunsmith and a blacksmith.

Irish pride on display at big St. Patrick’s Day Parade!

Photos of International Mariachi Festival in National City.

History comes alive during tour of Spanish Village.

Photos of National City Depot museum and streetcars!

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This blog now features thousands of photos around San Diego! Are you curious? There’s lots of cool stuff to check out!

Here’s the Cool San Diego Sights main page, where you can read the most current blog posts.  If you’re using a phone or small mobile device, click those three parallel lines up at the top–that opens up my website’s sidebar, where you’ll see the most popular posts, a search box, and more!

To enjoy future posts, you can also “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

A wordless story told on St. Patrick’s Day.

I went on a long walk yesterday between rainstorms. It was St. Patrick’s Day.

Many carefree people were heading into downtown to celebrate all things Irish: to attend the big Shamrock event, drink green beer, listen to music, dance a jig and party. Others were not thinking about St. Patrick’s Day.

There are countless participants in San Diego’s life.

One day in the city is infinitely complex. So many feet–moving forward in time–crossing paths, weaving a mystery.

Here is a wordless story for the eyes.

Horses and riders gather for St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

A horse is prepared in a corner of Balboa Park for San Diego's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade along Sixth Avenue.
A horse is prepared in a corner of Balboa Park for San Diego’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade along Sixth Avenue.  San Diego Bay and Point Loma can be seen in the distance.

Here are some fun photos!

Look what I discovered this morning as I walked through Marston Point, heading into the heart of Balboa Park. Horses and riders had gathered in the southwest corner of the park and were preparing for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade! Every year the big parade heads down nearby Sixth Avenue.

Both horses and riders would be wearing green today during the parade.
Both horses and riders would be wearing green today during the parade.

Horse and rider get ready in Balboa Park's Marston Point parking lot.
Horse and rider get ready in Balboa Park’s Marston Point parking lot.

Folks dressed in cowboy attire watch the proceedings.
Folks dressed in cowboy attire watch the proceedings.

A couple of horses from Valley Center wait by a trailer for the start of the parade.
A couple of horses from Valley Center wait by a trailer for the start of the parade.

A nice smile from a rider!
A nice smile from a rider!

Law enforcement would ride in the parade, too. These two horses were wearing some green shamrocks.
Law enforcement would ride in the parade, too. These two horses were wearing some green shamrocks.

A horse and rider with fancy braids.
A horse and rider with braids and curls.

This elegant carriage would soon be watched by thousands during the big parade.
This elegant carriage would soon be watched by thousands during the big St. Patrick’s Day parade.

A rider heads across the grass of Balboa Park's lush green Marston Point.
A rider heads across the grass of Balboa Park’s beautiful green Marston Point.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Funny Irish pub signs in San Diego.

If you're lucky enough to be Irish, then you're lucky enough.
If you’re lucky enough to be Irish, then you’re lucky enough.

St. Patrick’s Day is almost upon us! Here are a few warm and funny Irish pub signs that I’ve spotted while walking around downtown San Diego.

I can resist anything but temptation.
I can resist anything but temptation.

Sláinte! A toast to good luck and good health. Whatever your beverage, be sure and raise a glass in toast to St. Patrick, to the Irish and to yourself.
Sláinte! A toast to good luck and good health. Whatever your beverage, be sure and raise a glass in toast to St. Patrick, to the Irish and to yourself.

Here's to a long life and a merry one. A quick death and an easy one. A pretty girl and an honest one. A cold beer and another one!
Here’s to a long life and a merry one. A quick death and an easy one. A pretty girl and an honest one. A cold beer and another one!

Drink up! It makes other people more interesting. (I think I spotted this in front of an Irish pub. Or perhaps it was just an ordinary San Diego bar.)
Drink up! It makes other people more interesting. (I think I spotted this in front of an Irish pub. Or perhaps it was just an ordinary San Diego bar.)

Lovely day for a Guinness. Especially if you're a horse enjoying a nice leisurely ride.
Lovely day for a Guinness. Especially if you’re a horse enjoying a nice leisurely ride.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Do you like to read short pieces of thought-provoking fiction? Please visit Short Stories by Richard.

Irish pride on display at big St. Patrick’s Day Parade!

Irish damsels on horseback linger before start of the 2016 St. Patrick's Day Parade in San Diego.
Very elegant Celtic damsels on horseback linger before start of the 2016 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in San Diego.

Here come a bunch of fun pics! I took these this morning as folks were getting ready for the big annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival in San Diego. I saw all sorts of Irish pride on display. Lots of smiles. Lots of laughter. Enjoy!

Members of the 3rd West Cork Brigade were dressed in period costume to demonstrate their Irish pride.
Members of the 3rd West Cork Brigade were dressed in period costume to demonstrate their Irish pride.

Irish gentlemen in green jackets cross the grass at the west end of Balboa Park.
Irish gentlemen in green jackets cross the grass at the west end of Balboa Park.  The festival was just getting started.

An Old Irish Pub sign at the big St. Patrick's Day Festival next to the parade route.
An Old Irish Pub sign at the big St. Patrick’s Day Festival next to the parade route.

This funny fellow was carrying the Morning Paper down Sixth Avenue.
This funny fellow was carrying the Morning Paper down Sixth Avenue.

I see this friendly smiling clown every year at the parade!
I see this friendly smiling clown every year at the parade!

Young and old alike celebrate Ireland and wear the green.
Young and old alike celebrate Ireland and wear the green.

I saw lots of Irish Setters, of course.
I saw lots of Irish Setters, of course.

Someone watches as members of local United States Marine Corps band practice. Photo taken near Balboa Park's lawn bowling green.
Someone watches as members of local United States Marine Corps band rehearse. Photo taken near Balboa Park’s lawn bowling green.

Marine Band San Diego gets ready to participate in the 2016 St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Marine Band San Diego gets ready to participate in the 2016 St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Irish dancing was being performed on one stage an hour before the parade got underway.
Irish dancing was being performed on one stage an hour before the parade got underway.

Bagpiper players and drummers form a circle as they practice for the big parade.
Bagpipe players and drummers form a circle as they practice for the big annual parade.

One of several large Irish Wolfhounds that were checking out the festivities.
One of several large Irish Wolfhounds that were checking out the festivities.

Some musicians get ready on a trailer beside the parade route. They're advertising Rope the Musical.
Some musicians get ready on a trailer beside the parade route. They’re advertising Rope the Musical.

And here are some old-fashioned penny-farthing enthusiasts.
And here are some old-fashioned penny-farthing enthusiasts.

Folks prepare their float for the St. Patrick's Day Parade. It will feature a big orange shamrock.
Folks prepare their float for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. It will feature a big orange shamrock.

The mascot of a local business gets a necklace of shiny green beads!
The mascot of a local business gets a necklace of shiny green beads!

Smiles, laughter, great fun, and lots of Irish pride.
Smiles, laughter, great fun, and lots of Irish pride.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Do you like to read short pieces of thought-provoking fiction? Please visit Short Stories by Richard.

Fun photos from today’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Saint Patrick was seen in downtown San Diego banishing snakes and frowns.
Saint Patrick was seen in downtown San Diego banishing snakes and frowns.

A long, warm, wonderful walk today filled my trusty old camera with lots of photos! First up: some fun images from San Diego’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade!

Last year I took pics up and down Sixth Avenue (just west of Balboa Park) where the parade was staged, and this morning I did exactly the same thing. Predictably, cool sights were everywhere my eyes turned!

This smiling gentleman is dressed in the uniform of the Knights of Columbus.
This smiling gentleman is dressed in the uniform of the Knights of Columbus.

Crowd gathers early before the big St. Patrick's Day parade kicks off.
Crowd gathers early before the big St. Patrick’s Day parade kicks off.

Lots of dogs were wearing the green this morning.
Lots of dogs were wearing the green this morning.

Fun green hats and stuff line the grass by the sidewalk.
Green hats and fun festive stuff on the grass by the sidewalk.

Shriner mini cars are always a popular part of the St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Shriner mini cars are always a popular part of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

These clowns are relaxing in the shade as a sunny San Diego day heats up.
These clowns are relaxing in the shade as a sunny San Diego day heats up.

This cool old Ambulance and Patrol vehicle awaits start of parade.
This cool old Ambulance and Patrol vehicle awaits start of parade.

The distinctive Shriners float doesn't look very Irish to me, except for a bit of green!
The distinctive Shriners float doesn’t look Irish to me, except for a bit of green!

The Best-Rate Repair Company float is making its first appearance this year.
The Best-Rate Repair Company float is making its first appearance this year.

This guy in a traditional kilt will be playing the bagpipes for everyone to enjoy.
This guy in a traditional kilt will be playing the bagpipes for everyone to enjoy.

Marching band instruments lie on the grass before start of the St. Paddy's parade.
Marching band instruments lie on the grass before start of the St. Paddy’s parade.

The Academy of Irish Dance gets their festive float ready.
The Academy of Irish Dance gets their elaborate float ready.

These super nice San Diego Roller Derby ladies posed for my camera!
These super nice San Diego Roller Derby ladies posed for my camera!

Motorcyclist in green heads down Sixth Avenue where the parade is staging.
Motorcyclist in green heads down Sixth Avenue where the parade is staging.

These cool old-fashioned penny-farthing bicycles will take part in the parade.
These cool old-fashioned penny-farthing bicycles will take part in the parade.

Everybody was busy getting ready as the 10:30 morning start approached.
Everybody was busy getting ready as the 10:30 morning start approached.

Serviceman helps affix some green to the front bumper of a car.
Serviceman helps affix some Irish green to the front bumper of a car.

The Young Marines were folding a large American flag as I walked down Sixth Avenue.
The Young Marines were carefully folding a large American flag as I walked down Sixth Avenue.

A smiling Irish clown perfectly captures the spirit of this wonderful annual event.
A smiling Irish clown perfectly captures the spirit of this wonderful annual event.

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