Green hats, shamrock accessories, and creative outfits filled the streets, adding bright colour to the 16th annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival. Despite the cool March air, crowds gathered downtown in Victoria, enjoying music and a lively performance by the O’Brien School of Irish Dance. The celebration honors a long-standing tradition of Irish cultural heritage, seen as both a harbinger of spring and a symbol of new life. It’s a favorite not only in Ireland but across Canada, especially in British Columbia, and particularly on the island of eternal spring — Vancouver Island.