St. Patrick’s Day is almost here — are you ready to get your Irish on? With celebrations of food, music and culture of the Emerald Isle happening in Portland and across Oregon, there’s no excuse for sitting at home this March 17. No matter what your heritage, you'll have a blast expressing your inner Irish at these events.
Join the party in Portland
Live music, traditional Irish dance and a hearty corned beef supper might just make the All-Ireland Cultural Society’s St. Patrick’s Day Festival the best party in town. This family-oriented event combines culture, food and fun (and don’t forget the Guinness!). It’s happening from noon to 8 p.m. on March 17 at the Ambridge Event Center in Northeast Portland. Visit http://www.oregonirishclub.org/stpatricksdayfestival.html for more information.
Take a swing in Troutdale
Dust off your clubs, take a couple of practice swings and head to the St. Patrick’s Day Golf Tourney at McMenamins’ Edgefield in Troutdale. All skill levels and ages are welcome in this casual, individual-format event on Edgefield’s Pub Course. Equipment rentals and prizes are available at the Distillery Bar. Stick around for Edgefield’s other offerings, from beer and wine to movies and spa services — and check out the amazing murals that decorate the hotel building. Contact the Edgefield front desk at 503-669-8610.
Helping hands in Corvallis
If you’re in Corvallis March 17, start your day off right with the St. Patrick’s Day Pancake Benefit Breakfast at the First United Methodist Church on Northwest Monroe Avenue. Ten Rivers Food Web, the Corvallis Farmers Market and a number of Corvallis congregations have joined together to host this event that puts a fresh, local breakfast on the table to benefit access to fresh, local food for low-income adults and families. Visit http://www.visitcorvallis.com/index.php?action=events_info&rowid=6376 for details.
Get moving at Portland's Waterfront Park
Put on your running shoes and green face paint and join — or cheer on — the runners in the 2012 Shamrock Run on Sunday, March 18. The course starts and ends in scenic Waterfront Park, and offers 5-kilometer, 8k and 15k routes through downtown Portland. It’s all for a good cause — the event benefits the Doernbecher Children's Hospital Foundation. Get all the details at http://www.shamrockrunportland.com/.
Four days of fun at Kells Irish Restaurant and Pub in Portland
The whole family is welcome at Kells Irish Restaurant and Pub’s annual Portland St. Patrick’s Festival March 15-18. Check out live music, dancing, face painting and lots more to keep the kids busy from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Evenings are for the grown-ups, with food, beer and live music. Catch the Timbers game at Kells on Saturday night! For more information, visit http://www.kellsirish.com/portland/festival.html.
From green beer to traditional dance, Irish-to-the-core or Irish wannabe, these events and more turn Oregon a little greener every March. Get out there and explore your community’s food, fun and festivities.
