Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style

( File/staff ) Revelers fill the streets at the 2012 St. Paddy’s Day Block Party in Park Circle.

Ah, St. Patrick’s Day, the day when everyone is Irish.

While many see it as an excuse to wear green, drink beer and dig into a plate of corned beef and cabbage, March 17 has a bit more back history. The day marks the anniversary of the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland.

The saint’s religious feast day has been observed as a religious holiday in Ireland for more than 1,000 years.

And as St. Patrick’s Day falls during the Christian season of Lent, it traditionally has been a day to set aside Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat in favor of dancing, drinking and feasting.

In honor of St. Patrick, here is a listing of local events that will have you partying like the Irish.

St. Paddy’s Day Block Party & Parade

What: The 10th annual St. Paddy’s Day Block Party & Parade claims to be the biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebration in the Lowcountry. The family-friendly event will feature live music across three stages, bagpipe music, a mechanical bull, food vendors and trucks, corned beef and cabbage, Irish trivia, a kids zone with jump castles, face-painting, local artisans and more. Live music will be performed by Karl Byrne, Customs Four & Friends, The V-Tones, Folkgrass, Sean Austin Leonard, Michael Wolk, Don Merckle & The Blacksmiths, The Three Dudes, Maya Morill, Lizzy Pitch and WADATA.

When: Noon-8 p.m. Saturday; road closures begin at 9:30 a.m.

Where: Olde Village of North Charleston (East Montague Avenue near Park Circle)

Price: Free

More info: www.madraruapub.com

St. Patrick’s Celebration

What: The annual celebration in downtown Charleston will start off with Mass at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church on St. Philip’s Street, a parade down King and Broad streets, a raising of the Irish flag over City Hall, and conclude with Irish meals and entertainment at local pubs. This year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade promises to be the largest such event ever in Charleston. The grand marshal will be Michael Patrick Duffy, senior U.S. District Judge in Charleston. Music will be provided by the Charleston Police Pipe Band and the popular Na Fidleiri, the youthful Irish violin group. There will be an Irish dance group, many antique cars, the Scottish Society, fire engines and more participating. Throughout the day, Irish musicians and dancers will appear at local establishments such as Tommy Condon’s on Church Street, O’Malley’s on King Street, Dunleavy’s on Sullivan’s Island, Blind Tiger on Broad Street and Molly Darcy’s on East Bay Street.

When: 8 a.m. Mass, 10 a.m. parade, 11:30 a.m. flag raising, noon entertainment Saturday

Where: King Street

Price: Free

St. Patrick’s Week Talk

What: The Charleston Historical Society presents its annual talk on the Irish. Stephen J. White’s lecture, “Charleston and Its Irish: The Bryan Family,” looks at a family out of Dublin coming to Charleston and how they affected their new city and nation.

When: 7 p.m. today

Where: Karpeles Museum, 68 Spring St.

More info: 723-3398

Anniversary Banquet

What: The Hibernian Society will hold its 211th anniversary Banquet. U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., will be the guest speaker.

When: 8 p.m. Saturday

Where: Hibernian Hall, 105 Meeting St.

Folly Beach Pub Crawl

What: A number of Folly Beach bars and restaurants will be participating in the fourth annual St. Patrick’s Day pub crawl. Local restaurants will serve up Irish food, and bagpipes will be playing all day long. Participants in the crawl can get a stamp from each stop and enter to win a prize by turning in their completed card. The event is family-friendly.

When: Noon-5 p.m. Saturday

Where: Center Street, Folly Beach

More info: www.follybeach.com

Family Celebration

What: Sullivan’s Island will hold an island block party that will feature live entertainment, contests, games and prizes. Alcohol is strictly forbidden.

When: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday

Where: Stith Park, 2050 Middle St., Sullivan’s Island

More info: www.sullivansisland-sc.com

Share Your Green

What: Crown Leadership Academy will host a St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser at Awendaw Green. There will be live music by Volcanoes in the Kitchen, barbecue with all the fixings, beer and wine for sale, a silent auction, face-painting and more. RSVPs are requested.

When: 3-6 p.m. Sunday

Where: Awendaw Green, 4879 U.S. Highway 17

Price: $15 in advance, $20 at the door; kids 5 and under get in free

More info: 200-9916 or www.crownleadershipacademy.org

Smoky Oak Party

What: Enjoy a day of musical performances, including Guilt Ridden Troubadour, 2-5 p.m., Gaslight Street 5-8 p.m. and Cross-Eyed Mule 10 p.m. -1 a.m.

When: Saturday

Where: Smoky Oak Taproom, 1234 Camp Road, James Island

Johns Island Event

What: In its second year, the Seanachai Social Club has planned a weekend of events. The fun starts Saturday with a corned beef and cabbage cook-off by some of Johns Islands’ most celebrated restaurants, including the Fat Hen, Wild Olive, Southern General and Sweeneys. In addition to drink specials and live music well into the evening, there will be face-painting and a jump castle for kids. The fun continues Sunday with brunch, live music by Moonlight Ale, and food available from Outta My Huevos and Southern General.

When: 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday

Where: 3157 Maybank Highway, Johns Island

More info: seanachaisocialclub.com

St. Paddy’s Day Party

What: Enjoy all-day corned beef and cabbage with Guinness mustard, drink specials, live music, drinking songs and more.

When: 5 p.m. Sunday

Where: Pawleys Island Tavern, 10635 Ocean Highway

Price: Free

For more: 237-8465

St. Patrick’s PubCrawl

What: The producers of the world’s largest pub crawls are looking to make history yet again with the Luck of the Irish Pub Crawl through the Irish pubs of Charleston. Drink specials will be available at the bars along the way.

When: Noon Saturday

Where: Mac’s Place, 215 East Bay St.

Price: $10

More info: PubCrawls.com

Charleston Bar Crawls

What: Green Kegs and Hammered is taking over spots all over Charleston. Choose from the Friday night Kick-off Party, Saturday St. Paddy Bar Crawl and Sunday St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl.

When: Friday-Sunday

Where: Silver Dollar, 478 King St.

More info: BarCrawls.com