March is almost here!
When you think St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, Texas might not be the first to come to mind but the vibrant celebrations here might just surprise you.
So gear your family up in your brightest shade of green and celebrate some Irish heritage and pride on one of the most widely celebrated cultural events in the United States. There’s no shortage of fun for the whole family and you can be sure that San Antonio will put their own signature flavor on this fun-loving holiday.
We’re highlighting some of the most poppin’ paddy’s day celebrations that Texas has to offer during the month of March. Our first stop is San Antonio, where there’s plenty of events and traditions you won’t want to miss.
Murphy’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade and River Festival
The Irish pull out all the stops when it comes to St. Patrick’s Day fun and the Murphy’s parade is no exception. Here at the San Antonio River Walk, they dye the water green and host a truly spectacular parade of elaborately decorated boats. The fun doesn’t stop here and there’s also plenty of food and gift vendors to help you celebrate your shamrock pride.Guests are encouraged to dress up in their Irish best and root on their favorite boats and groups.
Harp & Shamrock Society Music Festival
If you’re looking for something more authentically Irish to whisk your spirit back home to the mother country, the Irish society at Harp and Shamrock have an impressive lineup of Irish musicians and dancers. Their events go towards the preservation of Irish culture in the San Antonio community and some of the area’s largest St. Patrick’s Day traditions. This year they’re hosting almost a dozen different events that will transform San Antonio into the rolling hills of Ireland.
Date Night Out to Durty Nelly’s
Some might argue it wouldn’t be St. Patrick’s Day without some Irish fare and Durty Nelly’s is a slice of Ireland. San Antonio residents flock to Nelly’s on St. Patrick’s Day to kick off or wind down a day of activities where they can sit back and relax in their comfy but vibrant atmosphere with some classic drinks. Whether you’re looking for an icy cold pint of Guinness or a tried and true Irish whiskey to quench your thirst, you’re bound to have a good time with friends and family here. Although not required, it’s extra fun to be clad head to toe in green of course.
Arneson River Theater Irish Concerts
Through the weeks leading up to the big day, the Arneson River Theater is hosting several music events that’ll awaken your inner bagpipe enthusiast. Irish culture is steeped in music and dance, and there’s plenty of that to go around at the Arneson outdoor theater before they even dye the river green! Support San Antonio’s premier Irish artists, bands and dancers as they put on an extraordinary show of beaming Irish heritage that’ll make your grandma proud.
Whether you’re cooling down with a cold pint or catching a glimpse of talented Irish dancers, you’re sure to find plenty of magical Irish spirit throughout the San Antonio community in March.
Your support keeps the traditions alive, so plan one event or visit all of them and don’t forget to have fun and let your pride beam bright while celebrating the fun loving and extraordinary Irish history,
February is a month long celebration of love and friendship.
Throughout the month of February, Texas hosts festivals and events to get out and celebrate the ones you love. Whether you’re looking for live music, street festivals or cultural celebrations, there’s something for everyone throughout the entire month of February.
So grab your calendar and plan to visit some exciting festivals underway in Texas.
San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo
Looking for some classic Texas events to visit this month? Look no further than the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, a family tradition that’s been going strong since 1940. Originally designed to gather together youth in San Antonio to celebrate and educate about the agricultural and livestock industries that has stimulated the local economy for generations. This festival runs through the whole month of February, where you can see tons of animals, catch a parade, check out some live music, and even treat the kids to carnival rides. Not to mention, there’s some delicious festival food guilty pleasures. This is an authentic Texan celebration with exhibitions and activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Charro Days Fiesta
The Charro Days Fiesta is an awesome experience in Texas you won’t want to miss. This event celebrates the bi-national cultures and traditions of Brownsville residents. The festival celebrates it’s 80 years of assembling for food, music, dancing, carnivals and parades. Watch colorful dancers light up the streets with music at the various parades and get a taste of authentic Mexican cuisine and other fusion cuisine with recipes that have been passed down for generations. The nationalism and unity is incredible at this festival Texans look forward to visiting every year.
Galveston Mardi Gras
Texas might be quite a distance from New Orleans, but there’s no shortage of Mardi Gras fun in Galveston. Everything is bigger in Texas and that saying goes for one of the country’s largest Mardi Gras celebrations that draws massive crowds every year. Visitors flock to Galveston for their parades, live entertainment and incredible food. Don’t book a plane ticket to New Orleans with such a buzzing Mardi Gras celebration right here in Texas that you won’t want to miss.
WBCA Carnival
Who doesn’t love the sights and sounds of a classic carnival? The WBCA Carnival is the biggest carnival in South Texas. Families have flocked to the carnival since 1975 and return each year as a fun family tradition. Sample all the incredible carnival eats you can imagine, check out local vendors and test your bravery on thrilling rides.
With tons of fun festivals to visit, you can fill your February with family fun.
Support local traditions and cultures throughout Texas and visit the incredible festivals, carnivals and events that Texas has to offer.
January might be the grand finale of the holiday season and the beginning of new resolutions, but it also has a very important significance in the birth world.
Each January, we strive to raise awareness for birth defects in our country with the observation of Birth Defect Awareness Month. This month and throughout the remainder of the year, we set out to help parents make more informed decisions regarding safe pregnancy, that may affect their baby’s health at birth.
There’s a misconception about birth defects and we are setting out to change the conversation.
Birth defects affect more babies each year than people think. According to the CDC, every 4.5 minutes a child is born with a major birth defect in the United States.
Some defects are visible and others remain silent. Many defects even go undetected at the time of birth, creating larger problems as the baby develops into the first few months or even years postpartum. A birth defect can be devastating for parents, particularly those that can be avoided. Birth defects can be incredibly serious as they directly affect the quality of life for children and their families with physical and emotional challenges as a person ages.
Many defects are preventable with responsible choices and monitoring during pregnancy. Avoiding tobacco, avoiding alcohol, eating healthy balanced meals, and regular prenatal exams are just some of the ways parents can decrease the chance of defects and promote a healthier birth.
Alongside healthy pregnancy decisions, many care providers may recommend supplementing your diet with folic acid during pregnancy. You might choose to take additional precautions during your prenatal exams like vaccinations and supplements. Stay empowered through your pregnancy by reaching out for more information and resources about the risks of birth defects, prevention methods and treatment resources.
For families that are affected by various birth defects, a strong support system is important. Some defects may create postpartum challenges to navigate and a doula support system can help eliminate stress for overwhelmed new parents. Your doula can help you understand different defects and their origins or help you prepare for a challenging birth.
Although January is at a close, it’s not too late to recognize birth defects, raise awareness and promote prevention strategies.
There’s tons of great resources for parents struggling with birth complications and defects, and even more of these foundations that need your support. If you’re interested in giving back to birth defect resources in your area, contact our team or The Center for Disease Control to take the first step or learn more.
