By Alyssa Ramsfield
Blimey! The calendar pages are turning quickly and we are only days away from one of my favorite holidays, St. Patrick’s Day! Although it falls on a Monday this year, there is plenty to do around town to celebrate all weekend long on a budget.
Irish Dance with Scoil Rince Slieveloughane
This free event kicks off a weekend of St. Paddy’s fun. The renowned dancers of Scoil Rince Sleveloughane (Hillside Lake Irish Dancing School) will perform Irish Dance at the Tumwater Timberland Library. These dancers come from the biggest Irish dancing school in the region! They have the goal of sharing Ireland’s rich history through movement. If you want to enjoy traditional jigs shaking the bookshelves, the dancing begins at 6pm on Friday, March 14.
Friendship Run 2014
Looking for something to do with someone special that will get your heart racing? Check out the 2014 Friendship Run on March 16. The 11th annual run features a variety of events for everyone. There is a 5k run/walk, 10k run, and free Tot-Trot for kids ages 2-8. Prizes will be awarded to top three finishers in each category. Food, music, and a raffle will also be available during the run. All proceeds benefit Olympia’s Westside Cooperative Preschool.
Miss Moffet’s Mystical Cupcakes
After working up a sweat from running, treat yourself to one of Miss Moffet’s Mystical Cupcakes. The divine sugar shop will be open on a usually closed day, Monday, to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. The cupcake case will feature a variety of holiday themed flavors including Chocolate Stout, Celtic Faerie, Irish Cream, and Shamrock Shake! Miss Moffet’s opens at 11am and supplies are limited.
Four Leaf Clover Hunting
While some people look for gold from those mischievous leprechauns on St. Patrick’s Day, why not look for a rare gem in your own backyard? Thurston County is a great place to go hunting for four leaf clovers. Our parks and playgrounds are a treasure trove full of these little guys.
Here are some words of advice while you are out scouring the countryside for your very own shamrock. First, pick a good spot. Look for a large patch of grass with a bed of clovers to begin your search. Second, try to be patient. This is not an easy task so take your time and don’t get frustrated. Third, observe the patch closely. You many need to get down to eye level with the ground to find that hidden gem. Lastly, preserve your find. Bring clear tape and press your clover into it. This way you can show off your hard work.
Irish Music with The Burren Boys
Finish your St. Patrick’s Day with authentic, Irish music. The Burren Boys will be playing at Cascadia Grill on Monday, beginning at 6pm for a free show. These guys play music that will have you stomping your feet and clapping your hands along to the beat. Fiddles, whistles, banjos, and guitars are just a few of the instruments they have on hand to play their Irish tunes. Many of these melodies require audience participation so be ready to sing and dance along!
There are so many fun and thrifty things to do around Thurston County for St. Patrick’s Day! Good luck on deciding which one will be your pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!
Thrifty Thurston highlights inexpensive family fun in Thurston County. The weekly series focuses on family-friendly activities throughout our community. If you have a suggestion for a post, send us a note at submit@thurstontalk.com. For more events and to learn what’s happening in Olympia and the surrounding area, click here.
