Sunny skies, parades and green beer

Green beer lovers, today is your day.

Sunny skies and temperatures pushing toward 80 degrees are in the forecast.

To drink in the sunshine, though, you’ll need to go to the block party and parade in the Olde Village of North Charleston near Park Circle or the Sullivan’s Island bash on Middle Street.

Taking the party to the beach is banned at Sullivan’s, Isle of Palms and Folly Beach. Ditto for drinking on the sidewalks of Charleston, Folly, Mount Pleasant and IOP.

But there are plenty of other ways to soak up the warm rays and the spirit of Saint Patrick’s Day.

Charleston has a parade of bagpipers, fiddlers and dancers that starts at 10 a.m. at King and Radcliffe streets. The Hibernian Society will be marching at 10:45 a.m. starting at the Lodge Alley Inn on East Bay Street.

The entertainment in North Charleston includes mechanical bull riding and three stages of live music. The event is billed as the biggest Saint Patrick’s party in the Lowcountry. Not to be outdone, Charleston is promising its largest parade ever.

Sullivan’s has two parties. A family-friendly event from 10 a.m. to noon at Stith Park will be followed by the street party in the commercial district.

“It’s absolutely our biggest day of the year,” said Jamie Maher, co-owner of Dunleavy’s Pub. Even bigger than the Polar Bear Swim on New Year’s Day, he said.

In case today doesn’t offer enough excitement, Saint Patrick’s Day actually falls on Sunday. A few events are planned then, such as a fundraiser at Awendaw Green featuring live music, beer and barbecue.