Once a year (of course, as with any annual celebration) St. Paddy’s Day rolls around. The activities will probably start heating up ahead of time, but the day itself is on Saturday, March 17 this year. Do you look good in green? Do you, perhaps, like green (or lovely dark) colored liquids that come in pint glasses? How about corned beef and cabbage, or even Irish coffee? Then you should mosey on down to your favorite spot and take in some of the celebrations. Here’s a short list of things we found in several areas for this year’s edition of St. Patrick’s Day.

If you live in or around Dublin, they’re holding their “Greenest, Grandest St. Patrick’s Day Parade” this Saturday March 10. The fun starts at 11 a.m. It’s a big deal, it’s free, and it’s lots of fun. They’re telling us to bring our “Irish attitude”, and to make sure we’re there for 10 a.m.

On Saturday March 17, The Shamrock Club of Columbus will hold its annual St. Patrick’s Day parade; this is a tradition that’s been going on since 1936.

In addition to Dublin and Columbus, there are parades in Cleveland (March 17, held since 1867), Toledo, Portsmouth, St. Henry, Youngstown, and other towns and cities.

St. Paddy’s day, however, isn’t only about green or parades. With a healthy Irish influence in the state, there are numerous other activities you can get in on. If you’re in Columbus, try the Fado Irish Pub on Townsfair Way, or the Brazenhead on West Fifth Avenue. If you live in or near the Brewery District, there’s the Claddagh Irish Pub at S. Front Street. As you can see, there are many things to do, and many ways to do them, this St. Patrick’s Day.

It’s important to know who you’re celebrating, don’t you think? St. Patrick is one of Ireland’s patron saints who died somewhere around the year 493 (yes, you read that right). He was said to have rid Ireland of ‘snakes’, though the snakes in question have been interpreted in different ways over the years. Like his father, and grandfather before him, St. Patrick found his rightful place, and work, in the church. Today, people celebrate St. Patrick all over the world, and in several European countries, it is an official bank holiday.