Saturday the 13th - Your Lucky Day?

Well, it had to come around again. One of the largest St. Patrick's Day Parades in the world belongs to Denver. And, like it or not, a few hundred thousand people will be swarming around LoDo this Saturday...looking green, acting green, feigning Irishness, and looking for restrooms.

This year's parade features a whole Irish band as the Grand Marshall, a Queen, 230 units of all manner of animals, clowns, dancers and more clowns driving small vehicles. It is sponsored by a credit union and three radio stations. 200,000 spectators are expected along the route beginning at 27th and Blake. The parade marches ever so slowly down Blake to 17th, then to Wynkoop, then kind of disappears at 19th. But the party goes on, and on, and on.

All of this started in Denver in 1961, according to the parade website. What you may not be aware of is the fact that each year has its own catchy theme. This year's theme is "Shamrockin' 2010." That certainly beats out last year's "Irish with Attitude." But, really, who can forget the theme from 1982 - "Denver Energy Capital of the World"? Granted, that was the first year they had a theme, so we'll cut them some slack for catchy theme creation.

If you live Downtown, emerge from your homes carefully on Saturday. It may be a little crazy, but don't worry, the fun just keeps on keeping on.

Sunday, the annual Runnin' of the Green 7K Irish Jog takes place. A few thousand more people start this at 10:15, and the party in the street immediately after. (Although, most would contend the party actually starts before.) A pipe band sends the runners off.

And, pipe bands continue to show up throughout Downtown for several days, right through the ACTUAL St. Patrick's Day on Wednesday. Of course, we know the saying, "Everybody's Irish on St. Patrick's Day." But, after five days of this, will you still claim it?