By Alyssa Ramsfield
Top o’ the mornin’ to ya Thurston County. It’s time to celebrate the Emerald Isle with annual St. Patrick’s Day events across our beautiful county. While most adults may check into their local pub to celebrate, there are plenty of events to enjoy for the wee-ones as well.
Friends of Mia Guild Presents: The 1st Annual St. Patrick’s Day Gold Run 5K
On Saturday, March 14, children of all ages can participate in the 5k hosted by O’Blarney’s. Timed runners start at 8:30 a.m. while the fun run participants join the pack at 8:40 a.m. This family friendly run helps to bring a pot o’ gold to a great cause. Money raised during the event will benefit the Friends of Mia Foundation. This foundation was set up in 2009 to help with medical and living expenses for families that have a child with cancer. The foundation also helps to support Childhood Cancer Research at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Get complete information, including registration information here.
Hands On Children’s Museum: Leprechaun Traps
The Hands On Children’s Museum will be making Leprechaun Traps from throughout the weekend, beginning on Friday, March 13. Kids can join the MakeSpace Tools program to create a trap for even the most mischievous of leprechauns in order to find their pot of gold. This activity is free with the cost of admission.
If you are hunting for shamrocks with the kids, why not try one of the many local nature trails Thurston County has to offer. There is plenty of green to be seen while walking local favorites including Evergreen Beach Trail, Priest Point Park, McLane Creek Nature Trail, and the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge Boardwalk. These paths are kid-approved and many permit dogs. Perhaps, if you are lucky, you will spot a rainbow along the way!
Nothing says Happy St. Patrick’s Day like a traditional, Irish meal. With two locations, O’Blarney’s is a great spot for just that. With a dining area separate from the pub, the whole family can enjoy favorites including Bangers and Mash, Corned Beef and Cabbage, and for you potato lovers, my personal favorite, the Irish Tater Skins. The ambience of Irish dancing and music is also on the menu to celebrate.
For authentic Irish tunes, check out The Burren Boys on March 17 at Cascadia Grill. This local band is well known around town for their mashups of traditional Irish and modern music. From banjos to fiddles, this band has all of their bases covered to play a wide variety of songs. Their performance begins at 6:00 p.m., but you will want to get there early if you want a good spot close to the band to help sing-a-long.
Miss Moffett’s Mystical Cupcakes
No holiday is complete without a sweet treat. There is no better place to enjoy a St. Patrick’s Day themed cupcake then at Miss Moffett’s Mystical Cupcakes. With flavors like Shamrock Shake, Chocolate Stout, and Irish Cream, your friends will be green with envy. Miss Moffett’s now boasts three locations (Olympia – Capital Mall, Olympia – Downtown Market, and JBLM) and is busier than ever. Good luck getting your hands on these limited goodies.
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.
