19 ways to celebrate St. Patrick's Day

• The 25th annual Somerville St. Patrick's Day Parade begins at 1:30 p.m. March 13, Main Street, Somerville.
• The 2016 Union County St. Patrick's Day Parade will be conducted on March 12.
• Take in some Irish music with two performances by The Chieftains.
• A St. Patrick's Day Dinner Party will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. March 13 at East Brunswick Elks Lodge 2370, 21 Oakmont Ave.

St. Patrick's Day is on Thursday, March 17, and while the luck of the Irish is always a good thing to have, you won't need much of it to find something to do to observe the occasion. From dinners to concerts to parades, there's sure to be something to get your Irish up over the next eight days — and beyond.

1, 2, 3 and 4: Let's have a parade

1. THE 2016 UNION COUNTY ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE: Saturday, March 12. A Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, 215 Court St., Elizabeth, at 9 a.m. to begin the day followed by a welcoming reception in the church hall. The family-friendly festivities kick off at noon at the reviewing stand located at the corner of Morris and Stuyvesant Avenues in Union Center with a warm Irish welcome from parade officials, traditional Irish music and Irish step-dancing. The one-mile parade will begin at 1 p.m. at Commerce and Morris avenues, proceeding east on Morris Avenue to Union Center and south onto Stuyvesant Avenue, ending at Roosevelt Avenue. This year’s grand marshal, Frank McGovern of Cranford, will lead the march of bagpipe and high school bands, local police and fire department units, veterans groups and other organizations through the center of Union. This year’s parade is dedicated to the Children of Irish Heritage. Featuring high school marching bands from the Township of Union and Roselle Park and bagpipe bands including the Union County Police & Fire Pipes & Drums and the St. Columcille United Gaelic Pipe Band. Also marching will be Fourth Degree color guards from the Knights of Columbus, nonprofit units, local police and fire departments and the Garden State Ceili Club float. The New Jersey Hall of Fame Mobile Museum will be on hand to give visitors the chance to learn more about the New Jersey men and women who made contributions to the state and the world in arts, business, sports, science and business. The parade will also feature a Kids Zone on Stuyvesant and Morris avenues featuring inflatable rides, walk-around entertainers and activities for the whole family. The following organizations make up the Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee: The John Cryan Association, The Thornsticks, The Irish-American Society of Union, The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Union County, the Joseph Nugent Sr. Association, the Kenilworth Veterans Center/VFW 2230, the Ancient Order of Hibernians of Rahway, the Union County Emerald Society, the Sheridan School of Irish Dance, the Union County Irish-American Association, the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians of Elizabeth, the Garden State Ceili Club, St. Helen’s R.C. Church in Westfield,  St. John the Apostle in Linden, St. Columcille Pipes & Drums,  Knights of Columbus Council 253 in Elizabeth, Union County Police and Fire Pipes and Drums, Knights of Columbus Council 4504 in Union, Molly Maguire’s Pub and the Blackthorn Pub. Visit www.unioncountystpatricksdayparade.com.

2. SOUTH AMBOY'S ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE: Saturday, March 12. Flag-raising ceremony, 9 a.m. at South Amboy City Hall, 140 N. Broadway; Parade Mass, 9:45 a.m. at St. Mary's R.C. Church, 256 Augusta St.; Honorees Brunch (invitation only), 10:30 a.m. at AOH Hall; line up from noon to 12:30 p.m. on South Pine Avenue (report to check-in table); parade step-off, 2 p.m. The parade will head north on South Pine Street; turns right onto Bordentown Avenue; turn left onto South Stevens; turns right on Main Street; and turns right on Broadway. The parade ends on Broadway at the reviewing stage. This year's grand marshal is Richie Moran; honorary grand marshal will be Woodbridge Mayor John E McCormac. No open containers. Post-parade party at the AOH Hall, 271 Second St., 3 p.m., with cash bar, corned beef and cabbage buffet dinner.$10; younger than 10 free.

3. 25th ANNUAL SOMERVILLE ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, March 13, Main Street, Somerville. Celebrating Grand Marshal Willie Lynch. Sponsored by Saker Shop Rites, RWJ University Hospital Somerset, AOH St. Patrick Division 1 Somerset, Eagles Aerie 2137, American Legion Post 12 Somerville, Children’s Dental Center, Willie McBrides Branchburg and Taylor Oil Company.

4. 43rd ANNUAL WOODBRIDGE PARADE: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, March 13. Funded and organized by the Woodbridge American Irish Association. This year's theme is "Ireland — 100 years — Independence." This is in recognition of the 1916 start of the Irish rebellion for independence; 2016 also marks the centenary of The Easter Rising. This uprising was one of the defining moments of the struggle for Irish independence that began on Easter Monday 1916 with the reading of the proclamation, Poblacht na h-Eireann by Pádraig Pearse. Honorees are:Grand Marshal Jack Wall; Irish Lady of the Year Pat Nixon; Irishman of the Year Ed McSherry; Miss American Irish Kylie Cahill; and Lady in Waiting Brianne Carey Dowd.

MORE: 12 lively steppin’ Jersey St. Patrick’s Day parades

5 to 10: Dancing and music

5. THE CHIEFTAINS WITH PADDY MOLONEY: 8 p.m. Friday, March 11, State Theatre, Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick.Traditional Irish music by six-time Grammy Award winners, The Chieftains. $35 to $75. Ticket office, 732-246-SHOW (7469); www.StateTheatreNJ.org. The State Theatre ticket office is at 15 Livingston Ave., is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday; and at least three hours prior to curtain on performance dates unless otherwise specified. For information on group outings and discounts, call 732-247-7200, ext. 517. Some additional ticket and transaction fees may apply.

6. THE CHIEFTAINS: 3 p.m. Sunday, March 13, The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Merriam Theater, Philadelphia. Led by Paddy Moloney. Reinvented traditional Irish music. Tickets start at $30. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, online at www.kimmelcenter.org, or at the Kimmel Center Box Office. Group sales are available for groups of 10 ormore and can be purchased by calling 215-790-5883. More information at www.kimmelcenter.org.

7. CELTIC PRIDE: 2 p.m. Sunday, March 13, Union County Performing Arts Center, UCPAC Mainstage, 1601 Irving St., Rahway. Celebration of Irish culture told through stories, dance and song. The show features a troupe of dancers from the Curran School of Irish Dance, choreographed by Sinead Curran Normant, who performed with "Riverdance" on Broadway and was the four-time North American champion for Irish Step Dancing. Weaving the evening together with song, stories, poetry and music will be master storyteller Frank Curran. Also featuring Alyson Whelan-Rios, a violinist who has played on numerous occasions with the quartet Celtic Woman. Rounding out the troupe of performers will be five singers: Fearless Icon champion Drew Cyburt, Fearless Icon finalists Howard Whitmore and Suzanne Ramsey-Restivo and Fearless Icon favorites Alicia Cordero and Ben Simons performing Irish anthems. For tickets or information, call the UCPAC box office at 732-499-8226 or visit www.ucpac.org.

8. AN EVENING OF IRISH MUSIC, SONG & DANCE: 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 15, South Amboy High School Auditorium, 200 Governor Hoffman Plaza, John T. O’Leary Boulevard, South Amboy. Featuring the Daoine Irish Music Band. The evening’s program will include dance music (jigs, reels and hornpipes) as well as airs and songs, and will be accompanied by sean nós (Irish “old-style”) dancing. The group’s instruments include fiddle, uilleann (Irish) pipes, bodhran, button accordion, whistle, flute, bouzouki and banjo. Persons with hearing disabilities may call 732-745-3888 (TTY users only) or 711, the New Jersey Relay System. In case of inclement weather, call 732-296-8966. An Assistive Listening System will be in use during programs. An American Sign Language interpreter can be provided with a two-week advance request. Funding for An Evening of Irish Music, Song & Dance has been provided in part by the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Folklife Program for New Jersey, and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts and in association with the City of South Amboy and the South Amboy Parade Committee. Held by the Middlesex County Office of Culture and Heritage. Admission free; registration required. To register, call 732-745-4489.

9. RHYTHM IN THE NIGHT: 8 p.m. Thursday, March 17, State Theatre, Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. The Irish Dance Spectacular Rhythm in the Night re-imagines traditional Irish dance to take the audience on a journey of a fallen hero and his rise to redemption for an unforgettable experience the entire family will enjoy. Led by Justin Boros, former lead dancer of Michael Flatley's "Lord of the Dance,: the cast features 20 of the world's most skilled Irish dancers and musicians. Watch as the troupe performs hard-shoe rhythms and soft-shoe jigs to an epic orchestral soundtrack. $25 to $55. www.statetheatrenj.org/tickets/calendar/view.aspx?id=7546&viewzones=true. 732-246-7469.

10. CELTIC NIGHTS: SPIRIT OF FREEDOM: 8 p.m. Thursday, March 17, Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South St., Morristown. Through story, song, traditional music and dance, Celtic Nights tells the story of Irish independence, honoring the triumphant struggle of a people fighting to gain freedom and democracy in a new production, Spirit of Freedom. Tickets, $39 to $69. Box office, 973-539-8008; www.mayoarts.org.

READ: Where to get taste of Ireland in NJ

11 to 19: Eat, drink and be merry

11. ANNUAL ST. PATRICK'S DAY DINNER: 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 11, Edison Elks Lodge, 375 Old Post Road, Edison. Dinner will be corned beef, cabbage, potatoes and homemade Irish soda bread. $10; $5 children younger than 12. Irish soda bread will be for sale for $5 a loaf. 732-985-2487, after 3 p.m.

12. CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE DINNER: 4:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 12, Trinity Presbyterian Church, 367 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick. Served by Trinity Presbyterian Church’s Women at the Well. Tickets are $12; $6 ages 4 to 12; ages 3 and younger eat free.  The dinner will include corned beef and cabbage, potatoes, carrots, Irish soda bread, beverages and homemade desserts. Tickets may be purchased at the door. Takeout will also be available.

13. THE PRODIGALS: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 12, Lackland Center; 715 Grand Ave., Hackettstown, Get into the St. Patrick's Day spirit with Centenary Stage Company and the Celtic rock fusion of The Prodigals. The band is led by Dave Fahy on guitar/vocals and Gregory Grene on accordion/vocals. Tickets, $25; $17.50 for children younger than 12 in advance. All ticket orders increase $5 on the day of the event. All ticket sales are final. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.centenarystageco.org or call the Centenary Stage Company box office at 908-979 0900. The box office is open from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and two hours prior to each performance. The CSC box office is located in the Lackland Center.     

14. ANNUAL CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE DINNER: 5 p.m. Sunday, March 13, Our Lady of Lourdes, Parish Community Hall, 390 County Road 523, Whitehouse Station section of Readington. Held by The Knights of Columbus. Corned beef and cabbage with dessert and beverages. $19; $17 seniors; $10 children younger than 12.  Pay at the door. Roman, 908-256-9760, or email romanhnidj@verizon.net.

15. ST. PATRICK'S DAY DINNER PARTY: 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 13, East Brunswick Elks Lodge 2370, 21 Oakmont Ave., East Brunswick. Doors open 1:30 p.m. Snow date: 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, March 19. $25 per person includes corn beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, green beans, salad, rye bread, Irish soda bread; chicken alternative; assorted desserts; tap beer, wine and soda; bring your own table snacks. Entertainment provided by DJ Jim Milner. Chefs: Jan Locklear and Denise Brucato. RSVP no later than Wednesday, March 9, to Jan Locklear, 732-238-3733 or email JL0cjkear@aol.com (note 0 is numeral in L0cklear).

16. ST. PATTY'S DAY PARTY: 3 p.m. to close Thursday, March 17, Lago Restaurant, 230 Washington Place, North Brunswick. Live bagpipes, Irish buffet with corned beef and cabbage, Reuben sandwiches, shepherd's pie, soda bread. Irish whiskey and beer specials, free giveaways. Irish DJ at 9 p.m. No cover.

17. ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARTY: Thursday, March 17, Alchemist & Barrister, 29 Witherspoon St., Princeton.  Winners of The Alchemist & Barrister's annual LongBeard Contest will be announced. Winners with Irish luck and the Longest and Best Beards will win prizes of travel, Flyers tickets and more. The competition, now in its 36th year, will benefit Derek's Dreams, a group of friends from various communities who work to raise awareness for Ataxia Telangiectasia, a very rare, aggressive genetic disease that affects about 600 Americans. The group is named after Derek DiGregorio an 18-year-old senior at Princeton High School who has this diagnosis .The group works with various organizations to help further much-needed research to find useful treatments and, one day, a cure. Beards will be measured by the staff of Mike's Barbershop who will be among the judges. Prizes will be given for the longest, handsomest, ugliest and most innovative beards. All entrants will receive a green T-shirt that says "Shave the Date"  to wear to the party, courtesy of Murphy's Irish Red. In addition, for every glass of Murphy's sold, the brewery will donate a dollar to Derek's Dreams. Sponsored by Murphy's Irish Red. 609-924-5555.

18. ANNUAL ST. PATRICK'S DAY DINNER: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 19, St. Francis Episcopal Church, 400 New Market Road, Dunellen. Tickets are $12.50; $7 for children younger than 10. www.stfrancisdunellen.org, 732-968-6781 or email contactus@stfrancisdunellen.org.

19. SOMERSET COUNTY DEMOCRATS ST. PATRICK'S DAY CELEBRATION, FEATURING SENATE PRESIDENT STEVE SWEENEY: 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, McBride's Irish Pub, 1270 Easton Turnpike, Branchurg. Featuring state Senate President Steve Sweeney. Tickets, $75 in advance; $85 at the door. Tickets include buffet filled with Irish fare, Irish music and dance, two complimentary drink tickets. RSVP by Friday, March 18, to John Mulligan, 703-785-2262 or somersetcountydemocrats@gmail.com. Tickets can also be purchased at www.somersetcountydemocrats.org. Paid for and authorized by the Somerset County Democratic Committee.

Staff Writer Brad Wadlow: 908-243-6604; bwadlow@gannettnj.com