Associations Get in the St. Patrick’s Day Spirit

Consider it the luck of the Irish—or perhaps it’s more business savvy than luck.

Either way, the National Retail Federation has plenty to celebrate on St. Patrick’s Day this Friday. NRF reports  (opens in a new tab) that consumer spending on the holiday is expected to hit $5.3 billion this year, the highest projection since it started tracking the number 13 years ago. The amount is half a billion dollars higher than the previous high of $4.8 billion, in 2014.

“Retailers should expect a nice boost in sales as consumers purchase apparel, decorations, food, and beverages to help make their celebrations special,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay.

It’s just one reason that associations are getting into the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day this year. Read on for some others:

A few brew ideas. Guinness is great and all, but what if you want to celebrate the holiday while supporting a small brewer? The Brewers Association’s CraftBeer.com has a list  (opens in a new tab) of a few brews that fit the bill, such as Circle Brewing Company’s Nightlight Irish Stout, which looks more bitter than it is, according to the post. You be the judge.

A corned beef exception. Catholics are traditionally barred from eating meat on Fridays during Lent. But, as the Catholic News Agency reports, many local dioceses are making an exception this year  (opens in a new tab), allowing the faithful to enjoy some celebratory corned beef this Friday. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is cheering, in part because St. Patrick’s Day is one of the largest beef-consumption days of the year, according to Reuters  (opens in a new tab).

A full weekend of events. You’re probably not celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin or Cork this year, but if you’re in San Antonio, you can get pretty close to the spirit of the holiday while staying stateside. The Harp & Shamrock Society of Texas is sponsoring a series of events in the city Friday and Saturday  (opens in a new tab), including a green dyeing of the San Antonio River, a wreath-laying at the Alamo honoring Irishmen who fought in the famous battle, and a multiday festival, featuring a “Passport to Ireland” interactive exhibit that highlights the history of Irish Texans, along with genealogy research.