St. Patrick’s Day doesn’t officially occur until March, but locals will be kicking off the festivities this weekend by “stealing the statute,” as it’s called, following a special mass at Holy Cross-Immaculata Church in Mt. Adams on Sunday at 2 p.m.
The service itself honors local members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians who have died over the past year.
At the end of the mass, the church’s St. Patrick statue will be, ahem, stolen and paraded through Mt. Adams streets. The parade will feature drummers and bagpipe players.
The tradition was started by the Crowley family of Crowley’s Pub in Mount Adams.
“Family is always the focus of the Irish culture, and on this day family means the entire Irish-American community and those who support it,” said Parade Chairman Chris Schulte.
The actual Cincinnati St. Patrick’s Day parade will occur on March 14 at the Banks. It will be the 58th year the parade has occurred.