DECK THE HOLIDAY'S

    Can you say  Starkbierzeit?  It's German for  "strong beer festival",  an event held every March in Munich. For two weeks, breweries bring out their most potent beverages, and beer halls throw noisy parties with a host of Bavarian entertainment and food. It's Oktoberfest without the tourists.     The festival's roots go back to the  Paulaner monks  who, according to legend, began making an extra strength beer to sustain themselves during their Lenten fast. The beer, first brewed in the 17th century, gained a  "word of mouth"  following. The townspeople called it  Salvator.     Strong beer's popularity took off after Napoleon rode into town and sold the monasteries to local businessmen. Paulaner ended up in the hands of a entrepreneur named  Franz Xavier Zacheri , who turned the monastery into a beer hall and mass produced the monks' beer. In an inspired bit of mark...

Boston, Mass .- They've been partying since 1901 in  "Bean Town".  About 850,000 people attend this spirited party. The city's population is about 16 percent Irish and they celebrate St. Patrick's Day with enthusiasm. New York City - New York's parade has been celebrated since 1762. They expect about 2 million people to line the streets of New York for the largest and oldest St. Patrick's parade in the United States. The huge parade has about 150,000 marchers. No floats or automobiles allowed. Plenty of bagpipes and green beer in the city on this Irish event. As the original St. Patrick's Day Parade in U.S. history, the first event was held in 1762. Chicago- South Side - The South side parade draws about 325,000 people. This Irish neighborhood's parade has a lively party atmosphere. Chicago-Downtown - The event in Chicago has taken place since 1843. About 300,000 p...