Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day away from the bars at parades, festivals and parties around Portland!

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St. Patrick's Day is billed as an annual celebration of Irish culture, but has since become best known as a celebration of booze. Bars around the world line up events for St. Patrick's Day weekend, and Portland is no different. From the top Irish pubs to the neighborhood dives, you'll find lavish Irish festivals and that dreadful green beer.
If you're looking to celebrate the holiday in a more comfortable, and potentially alcohol-free environment, there are still plenty of options in the greater Portland area. With live music, parades, fun runs and food, here's how to celebrate St. Patrick's Day weekend away from the bars.


FESTIVALS AND PARADES
Shamrock Run and Fitness Fair: Spots are full for the 2014 Shamrock Run, but there's still plenty to do the day of the race. There will be live music from St. James Gate as well as Irish bagpipes, hot chowder and the obligatory beer garden. A two-day Fitness Fair will precede the run on Friday and Saturday at the Expo Center.
Fitness Fair: Friday and Saturday @ Expo Center; Free
Shamrock Run: Sunday from 8 to 11 a.m. @ Waterfront Park; Free

Sellwood-Moreland Festival and Parade: Events are scheduled all day at St. Agatha Catholic School in Sellwood-Moreland, kicking off at 10:30 a.m. with a 5K and fun run, continuing in the afternoon with a family parade and carnival, and rolling through the evening with live music until 8 p.m.
Saturday at 10:30 a.m. @ St. Agatha Catholic School; Free

Hillsboro Parade and Corned Beef and Cabbage Feed: The annual Hillsboro St. Patrick's Day Parade starts at 11 a.m. at Hare Field, running east down Cornell Road, south on Main Street, west on Main to 2nd Ave, north on 2nd to Grant Street, and looping east back to Hare Field. The party continues with the Corned Beef and Cabbage Feed at the Hillsboro Civic Center Plaza.
Saturday at 11 a.m. @ Hillsboro; Free

LIVE MUSIC AND PARTIES
St. Paddy's For Parks: The Parks Foundation of Clark County is teaming up with Vancouver nursery Shorty's Home and Garden for "St. Paddy's For Parks," a 21-and-older event that features live entertainment from Vancouver Firefighters Pipes and Drums, Molly Malone's Irish Dancers, and headliner Five Guys Named Moe. Beaches will serve up Irish food, beer and wine.
Friday at 5 p.m. @ Shorty's Garden and Home; $20 online or $25 at the door

Farmer's Market Celebration: The Beaverton Farmer's Market is transforming into a family-friendly St. Patrick's Day celebration, with remarks from Mayor Denny Doyle and music from Hanz Araki, Seamus Egan and others, and dancing from the Molly Malone Dancers. The market will still go on as well.
Saturday at noon @ Beaverton Farmer's Market; Free

The Stomptowners: Traditional Irish band The Stomptowners will stop by the Beaverton Library for a free Sunday afternoon show. The band features traditional music, singing and foot-stomping percussion.
Sunday at 2 p.m. @ Beaverton Library; Free

All-Ireland Cultural Society: Easily one of the longest-running St. Patrick's Day parties in Portland, the All-Ireland Cultural Society's 73rd festival features traditional music from Ceili Band and Cul an Ti Band, and dancing from Tir Eoghain Dancers and Molly Mahone Dancers. The evening party will go down at the Ambridge Event Center in Portland.
Monday at 4 p.m. @ The Ambridge Event Center; $10 over 21, $5 ages 12 to 20, Free younger than 5


FOOD AND TEA
St. Patrick's Day Tea: If you really want to get out of the city to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, consider a nice scenic drive up to Pomeroy Farm in Yacolt, Wash.(that's about 40 minutes north of Vancouver) for a St. Patrick's Day Tea. The farm will serve a seasonal menu of sandwiches, scones, deserts and two kinds of tea.
Saturday at noon @ Pomeroy Farm; $17 

Po'shines Dinner Fundraiser: North Portland's Po'Shines is a minority-owned, cajun-themed non profit soulfood café, but this weekend they'll be cooking up an Irish dinner to raise money for a local youth ministry. Expect corned beef and cabbage, fish and chips and more at the youth-run event.
Monday at 5 p.m. @ Po'Shines; $8 to $10 per plate

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