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Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day

Toronto's St. Patrick Day Events for 2008

By Marilyn Campbell, About.com

Trying to decide what to do for St. Patrick's Day in Toronto? From the parade to the pubs, here are a few ideas.

1. See the St. Patrick's Day Parade

On Sunday March 16th the procession will begin at noon at Bloor and St. George. Pipe and drum bands, Irish dancers and many others will make their way east to Yonge, where they'll head south to Queen and turn back west, with the parade ending just past Nathan Phillips Square.

2. Visit an Irish Pub

P.J. O'Brien on Colborne StreetMarilyn Campbell
Okay, so this is an obvious choice, assuming you like your pubs packed to the rafters. If you're going to go, be sure you go early. On St. Patrick's Day, some of these pubs have lineups by noon.

3. Head to the Theatre

At least two stage shows with an Irish flavor are on this March.

- The MacKenzieRo theatre collective is remounting DISCO PIGS, an award-winning two-hander set in Cork, Ireland that was a hit for them at Toronto's 2007 Fringe Festival. The remount is at the Alchemy Studio Theatre from February 28th to March 15th.

- A Man of No Importance is set in Dublin and was adapted from the film by Irish screenwriter Barry Devlin. It's being put on by Acting Up Stage and runs March 7th-22nd in the Berkeley Street Theatre Upstairs.

- Unfortunately, The Toronto Irish Players' production of The Muesli Belt is now closed, but if you're interested in Irish culture year-round, they're certainly a group to keep an eye on for future productions.

4. Enjoy Ireland at Home

Marilyn Campbell
Pull on your Aran Sweater before sitting down to a breakfast of eggs, black pudding and a big bowl of McCann's Irish Oatbran. All it'll take is a pre-St. Paddy's Day shopping trip to Mrs. Bridge's British Bakery for the grub and The Irish Shop for the garb.

5. Plan a Trip to Ireland

The About.com Guide to Travel Ireland is ready to help you out, and so is Tourism Ireland. Because wearing green is fun and all, but it's just not the same.

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