Patch Picks: Best Ways to Celebrate St. Patty's Day

• Check out Ed Yother. This St. Charles musician plays the Irish mandolin, octave mandoline and tenor banjo. You can hear him perform live from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. March 12 at or from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. March 17 at . If you're inspired to try it yourself,  Yother teaches classes on the tenor banjo, octave mandolin and Irish mandolin at the Folk School of St. Louis. 
• Head to the St. Patrick's Day Parade You don't have to drive to downtown St. Louis for this one. Cottleville hosts a St. Patrick's Day parade and 7K run March 12. The parade starts at 12 p.m. at Warren Elementary School, 141 Weiss Road, and travels along Highway N, ending at Francis Howell Central High School. 
• Eat at an Irish Pub. has traditional Irish fare ranging from bangers and mash to fish and chips to shepherd's pie. On Monday, March 14, Llywelyn's Pub will open another location in O'Fallon. Or head to , also in St. Charles, or McGurk's in O'Fallon. 
• Pop into . This shop on Main Street offers both Scottish and Irish items including clothing, kilts, flags, signs and knick knacks. Wander in find something to wear for your St. Patty's Day adventures. 
• Play. Take the kids to from 3:30 to 5 p.m. March 17 for an afternoon of free crafts, stories, music and activities. 

Looking for more options? Clayton-Richmond Heights Patch has a collection of bars and restaurants offering specials on St. Patrick's Day here.