Quebec town gets the St. Patrick's Day party started early

Weeks before most Quebecers will head off to celebrate St. Patrick's Day at their local parade, residents of Richmond, Que., are already in the thick of their month-long festivities.

The Eastern Townships town celebrates the Irish holiday with a huge variety of parties and gatherings over the month of March.

"For the whole town of Richmond, this is a fantastic month," says Joe Kelly of the Richmond St. Patrick's Society.

"We have our parade, we have the green sale, a corned beef and cabbage supper," he said. "Next week will be our banquet, and we also have an Irish mass."

Longstanding tradition

It's a tradition that dates back almost 140 years, when the area's Irish population first began hosting a church parade.

Since then, the town's celebrations have gotten bigger and bigger, and now include everything from a St. Patrick's Day curling tournament to green bingo.

Richmond Legion president Marjorie Lancaster says thecelebrationis a good opportunity to see friends after a long winter.

"It's a very big social event," she says. "Everybody just gets into it."

Green auction in its 26th year

Elsie Kerr, 91,started running an annual green sale at the Richmond Legion 26 years ago.

The auction raises money for the legion by selling a vast array of green items.

Though Kerr says she's "not a bit Irish," it doesn't stop her from getting into the spirit of the holiday.

"In March, everybody is Irish."