St. Patrick's Day is the unofficial holiday for drinking copious amounts of green beer and overindulging yourself with corned beef and cabbage. It is also the one day of the year where everyone pretends to be of the same genealogical roots.

You don't have to purchase a plane ticket to Ireland to partake. Central Ohio's Dublin will suffice for those looking for a way to celebrate All Things Irish ... 

Wear your green and arrive early to Dublin's St. Patrick's Parade on Saturday, March 15. There will be a pancake breakfast, followed by the 5K Run at 10:45 a.m. The community parade begins at 11 a.m. at the Clarion Hotel-Dublin. It travels through Historic Dublin and features bagpipers, leprechauns, bands, floats and more.

Following the parade, Dublin will host the Blarney Bash, which will feature several bands including a live performance by The Prodigals. The Bash also includes Celtic dance and spirits, a Wee-Folk area and other activities.

Dublin doesn't have a monopoly on Central Ohio celebrations. On Monday, March 17, Downtown Columbus will celebrate with the annual St. Patrick's Day parade. The parade will form at Nationwide Boulevard and John H. McConnell Boulevardat 10:30 a.m. The parade begins at 11:45 a.m. It will disband at the Shamrock Club's Annual Irish Family Reunion.

If parades aren't your scene, kick back and enjoy the holiday the old fashioned way; at an Irish Pub. Clintonville's Patrick J's will "go green" at 10 a.m. Bands, DJ's and Irish dancers will flood the bar as patrons wash down their corned beef and cabbage with green beer.

In Dublin, check out Flannagan's and Brazen Head, or visit Front Street's O'Shaughnessy's and The Claddagh Irish Pub, in the Arena District, to take advantage of your Irish heritage, before it disappears again until next year.