St. Patrick’s Day was widely celebrated in this area, often with dances. As early as 1915, a St. Patrick’s Day dance was held in Grande Prairie. In 1935 there was a St. Patrick’s Day concert of Irish music followed by a dance, with music by Penson’s orchestra. A St. Patrick’s Day tea sponsored by the CWL featured a silk rug, hand worked by the St. Joseph’s Academy girls. St. Patrick’s Day 1938 was marked in Sexsmith by a dance at the hall, where dollar bills were given out each hour. A house party in the country east of Sexsmith had dancing and entertainment that went on until 5:30 AM. To top it off, the March 16, 1915 paper had an ad on the front page placed by an Irish fellow looking for a wife.
Researched & written by Kathryn Auger
