10 St. Patrick’s Day events, including Dublin and Columbus parades
Listen carefully: Do you hear bagpipes somewhere in the distance?
If so, it’s not your imagination. This year, St. Patrick’s Day — named for St. Patrick, a Christian missionary and the patron saint of Ireland — will fall on next Sunday, March 17, but events celebrating the holiday begin as early as this week.
That includes one of the biggest of all area St. Paddy’s-related events, the city of Dublin’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, which will be held on March 9.
We’ve gathered a list of 10 fun and festive things to do to celebrate the day. Check websites for further details.
When and where the Dublin St. Patrick’s Day parade happens
If you can’t book a flight to Dublin,
Ireland, why not check out the festivities in Dublin, Ohio? Foremost among them is the city of Dublin’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade — set to begin at 11 a.m. March 9 at Metro Center — which boasts floats, marching bands, antique vehicles and more. A pancake breakfast will be offered from 7:30 to 11 a.m. at Sells Middle School, 150 W. Bridge St., Dublin. More information, including road closures and parking details: dublinohiousa.gov/community-events/st-patricks-day-parade/
Feasting at Fado Irish Pub on March 9
If you’re going to the parade in Dublin on March 9, consider swinging by Fado Pub and Kitchen, 6652 Riverside Drive, Dublin. Starting at 9 a.m. that day, the restaurant will be hosting a “St. Patrick’s Day Parade Party” with
brunch, beer, dancers, bagpipers and more. Live music acts include Dogwood Rood and The Mcians. The cover charge is $10 from 9 a.m. to noon, and $20 from noon to close. Other related events will take place in Dublin and at Easton locations on March 16-17. More information: www.fadopubandkitchen.com/events/ st-patricks-day-parade-party-at-fadopub-and-kitchen-2
St. Patrick’s Day-themed igloos at VASO
Vaso Dublin, 6540 Riverside Drive, Dublin, will host a St. Patrick’s Day happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. March 9. Included with the purchase of a beverage is access to Vaso’s igloos, which will be decked out in St. Patrick’s Day decor. More information: www.vasodublin.com/store/event/dublin-st-patricks-day-happy-hour/
Celebrate with ‘Shamrocks and Swiftie Skate’
In one of the unlikelier but most fun combinations imaginable, Skate Zone 71, 4900 Evanswood Drive, is hosting a “Shamrocks and Swiftie Skate” at 1 p.m. March 10. The event is St. Patrick’s Daythemed, but skaters will be treated to an entire session of (you guessed it) music by megastar Taylor Swift. Admission costs $12 with $5 skate rental, or $25 for VIP tickets, including a “Shamrock Swiftie Swag Bag.” More information: www.unitedskates.com/skate-zone-71/
St. Patrick’s-related festivities at COSI
In the latest “COSI After Dark” event at the Center of Science and Industry (COSI), 333 W. Broad St., those 21 and older can partake in St. Patrick’s Dayrelated trivia, karaoke and other events at 7 p.m. March 14. To add to the fun, live music, science demonstrations and animal encounters will also be featured. Beer and corned beef and cabbage will be served. Tickets cost $30, or $20 in advance. More information: cosi.org/ cosi-after-dark
‘Ohio’s Largest St. Patrick’s Pub Crawl’
Social City Events is hosting what it dubs as “Ohio’s Largest St. Patrick’s Pub Crawl” from noon to 8 p.m. on March 16. Participating Arena District pubs: Brothers Bar & Grill, Callahan’s, Howl at the Moon, Park Street Tavern, Park Street Cantina, Novk’s Tavern & Patio, Gaswerks and Granero Lounge. All who register will receive a T-shirt, drink specials and free cover charges to the assorted bars on the crawl. Registration costs $26. More information: socialcityevents.com/tickets
Pub crawls along Bridge Park in Dublin
Starting at 1 p.m. March 16, bars in the Bridge Park and historic areas of Dublin will participate in a pub crawl. Those who wish to participate should download a passport and then visit at least five of the participating pubs. Those who get their passport stamped will be eligible to receive a grand prize dubbed — what else? — the Pot O’ Gold. More information, including passport: www.visitdublinohio.com/events/annual-festivals-and-events/st-patricksday/
Shamrock Club of Columbus St. Patrick’s Day parade
The Shamrock Club of Columbus’ annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will get underway at 11:30 a.m. March 17 outside of
St. Joseph’s Cathedral, 212 E. Broad St. The route wraps up at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High St., where, in the Battelle Grand Ballroom, the Irish Family Reunion will take place. Entertainment will include the Irwin Academy of Irish Dance, ML Dance Academy, Rankin Holland Irish Dance Academy, Richens/timm Academy of Irish Dance and the Hooligans. Food may be purchased at the event or brought along by those in attendance, and a raffle will also be held. Admission for the Irish Family Reunion is $15, or $8 for ages 5 through 17, free for ages 4 and younger. More information: www.theshamrockclubofcolumbus.com/2024-st-patricks-day
Leprechauns take over Metro Parks in March
Families visiting parks in the Metro Parks system can hunt for leprechauns and other symbols of Ireland this month. Among the parks participating are Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center (1 to 3 p.m., March 16); Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Westerville (noon to 4 p.m. March 17) and Blacklick Woods, 6975 E. Livingston Ave., Reynoldsburg (1 to 4 p.m. March 24). (The last event, falling after St. Patrick’s Day, is an “escape trail” that includes clues about both leprechauns and the Easter Bunny.) More information, including a full list of participating parks: www.metroparks.net
‘Irish Fairy Door Trail’ invites kids to look for icons at businesses
The Bridge Park and historic areas of Dublin will host the “Irish Fairy Door Trail,” which invites children to pick up a passport at the Dublin Visitor and Information Center, 9 S. High St., and then keep their eyes peeled for “fairies” at a range of area businesses, including Johnson’s Real Ice Cream, Dublin Toy Emporium and Winans of Dublin. Those bearing completed passports can return to the Visitor and Information Center to take home a free fairy door trail T-shirt. The city recommends visiting businesses 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. More information: www.visitdublinohio.com/things-to-do/fairydoor-trail/
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