There’s something special about Saranac Lake, and the village’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration is no exception.

The parade kicks off the festivities at 4 p.m. It lines up on Olive Street and courses through downtown along the "Emerald Pathway." A tribute to the Emerald Isle and to Adirondack style, marchers include lads, lasses, bands, and clans of the area. As a testament to Saranac Lake’s inclusive spirit, the “Marching of the Clans” is not just for Irish families. All clans, regardless of heritage, are encouraged to wave their banners proudly!

OK, so you’ve cheered on this year’s Grand Marshall (a regular old babe of the Blarney, we’ve heard), nodded your head to the bagpipes, and been lulled into a celebratory fervor by the pint-sized crooners from St. Bernard’s School. Saranac Lake isn’t done with you yet! Most of the bars and restaurants downtown are offering Paddy’s Day specials to keep you busy all night. The best suggestion is to start at one end of downtown and barhop your way to the other. You’ll find Celtic-inspired menus (who doesn’t love a good oxtail dinner?), waves of revelers decked out in green, and Irish car bombs galore.  

While you’re at it, don’t miss the Chamber Comedy Show featuring Owen Benjamin at the Harrietstown town hall. In case you're out of the loop, Benjamin is a comedian and actor with local ties who's appeared in movies and on late night television shows like Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Chelsea Lately, Inside Amy Schumer, and his own special Comedy Central Presents: Owen Benjamin. Since alcohol will be available, this show is for people 21 years and older.