February is not even over, but we already feel a wee bit of Irish spring in the air.

Yep, St. Patrick’s Day marchers are setting out. We found three geographically spread out parades this weekend: Saturday at 1 p.m. in Hoboken (www.hobokensaintpatricksparade.org) and Mount Holly (www.mounthollyparade.com), Sunday  at 12:30 p.m. in Belmar (www.belmarparade.com).

Georgian Court University in Lakewood is holding its on 27th annual “Irish Afternoon” with a concert by The Irish Tenors (www.theirishtenors.info). It’s at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Strand Theater. Tickets and more info at www.strand.org.

Elsewhere around the state, Scandinavia takes center stage with the New Jersey Symphony’s (www.njsymphony.org) performance of the new work by Swedish composer Anders Hillborg Liquid Marble, and Jean Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2, which according to the NJSO’s website “evokes the arctic winds, eerie lakes and shimmering twilight of the Finnish landscape.”

They also play Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. Performances are tomorrow at 8 p.m. in the War Memorial, Trenton; Saturday at 8 p.m. at NJPAC; and Sunday 3 p.m. at the State Theater in New Brunswick. 

Another event that sounds like fun is the first “Leap Anniversary” of 56 Degree Wine in Bernardsville, going on all weekend starting tomorrow. The shop, specializing in artisanal wines from small producers around the world, first opened the previous Leap Day, February 29, 2004. Proprietor Chris Cree, New Jersey’s only Master of Wine, is expanding his regular weekend tasting by pouring from special Champagne and wine magnums. There will also be gourmet treats to sample including Café 56, the shop’s new private label organic coffee.

 And finally…put that cell phone down when you drive! Starting Saturday, using a wireless  electronic communication device when operating a moving motor vehicle becomes a primary offense. Which means you can get pulled over and get a ticket just for that offense.

No texting allowed, either. Want to know more?  www.njsaferoads.com.