Devoted to ex-pats, exploring resources, challenges, and opportunities

What are the local expressions of St. Patrick's Day, if any, where you are?  I just read that the first public celebration was in Boston, not in Ireland, so I'm thinking that it's roots are based as much in beer sales as in Irish nationalism.  Further evidence of this is the fact that the Guiness brewery is the source of choice for news publishers looking for info about the holiday.  Or, seen from the other side, Guiness is the most vocal source about celebrations for the holiday.  Either way, beer figures big.

When I was a kid, wearing green was a big deal in school, whether one was of Irish descent or not.  In recent years, I've seen my own children show indifference to the custom.  Is this still part of the holiday experience overseas?  And what's the attraction for non-Irish anyway, of they don't drink?