Whether you are 100 percent Irish, or like me, just a wee bit Irish, St. Patrick’s Day is a great time to celebrate the wonderful culture of the Emerald Isle. I look forward to March 17 every year because it means corned beef (an American dish by the way that was never eaten in Ireland), Celtic music and lots of Irish tea (or beer, if you prefer). You don’t have to hop a flight to get some Irish flavor – check out these St. Patrick’s Day events in Olympia and surrounding areas. And don’t forget to don your green!
Irish Concert
Virgil Clarkson Lacey Senior Center, 6757 Pacific Ave SE, Lacey
March 6, 6:30 p.m.
Kick of the month of March with some fun Irish music hosted by Rattlin’ Bog at the Senior Services for South Sound Irish Concert! There will be some Irish ballads, rowdy drinking songs and of course hilarious ditties that showcase that famous Irish sense of humor. They will have drinks and Irish snacks and plenty of toe-tapping music to get you dancing! The free concert will accept donations to support the Brighter Days Adult Day Program.
Shamrock Shindig Fundraiser
March 7, 5:50 p.m. 10:00 p.m.
Capital Event Center, 6005 Tyee Drive SW, Tumwater
Budd Bay Café is catering this year’s annual Shamrock Shindig Fundraiser, a fun Irish-themed event benefitting the Capital Booster Club. The event includes a silent and live auction with fun prizes including an Alderbrook Resort & Spa getaway, a Sandstone Distillery Craft Cocktail Party for 16, Mariners VIP Package, Seahawks MVP Experience Package Seabrook getaway and more. All the monies raised go to the activities and groups at Capital High School to pay for equipment, uniforms, practice gear, IT Support, choreography, etc. Purchase tickets in advanced here.
O’Blarney’s Irish Pub’s St. Patrick’s Celebration
Starting March 12
4411 Martin Way E, Olympia
Of course, it wouldn’t be St. Patrick’s Day without at least one stop to O’Blarney’s Irish Pub in Olympia. Starting March 12 and going through March 17, they have a lineup of Irish food, drinks and entertainment, including live music. On St. Patrick’s Day itself, they will have live music all day! Here are the highlights of their celebration:
Thursday March 12
- $4 Pints of Guinness, Harp, Smithwicks, Kilkenny starting at 6:00 p.m.
- Guinness Pub Quiz starting at 8:00 p.m.
- Steak Night – 8-ounce Sirloin with roasted vegetables baked potato or fries for $10.99
Friday, March 13
- Irish Lamb Stew starting at 11:00 a.m.
- Free Bar BINGO – 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
- Live Music – 9:00 p.m. – Irish Sessions Band – No Cover
15 percent of all sales go to the Thurston County Food Bank
Saturday, March 14
- Irish Lamb Stew starting at 11:00 a.m.
- Live Music – Big Blue Van Music 9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. $5 Cover starting at 9:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 15
Irish Lamb Stew starting at 11:00 a.m.
Monday, March 16
Irish Lamb Stew starting at 11:00 a.m.
Tuesday, March 17
- Irish Lamb Stew starting at 11:00 a.m.
- Live Music – 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Puget Sound Firefighter’s Pipes and Drums and 9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. Irish Rock Band Slainte
- $5 Cover ALL Day
Lucky Leprechaun BINGO
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED
March 13, 6:00 p.m.
Virgil Clarkson Lacey Senior Center, 6757 Pacific Ave
Grab your gold coins and 4-Leaf clovers and join the Senior Services for South Sound at their annual Lucky Leprechaun BINGO. It’s a great event for friends, family, and neighbors, whether you are Irish or not. Don’t forget to come dressed in your best St. Patrick’s Day attire! $20 game packs, full-service bar, JELL-O shots, 50/50 raffle and $5 themed dinner at 6:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:00 pm., games start at 7:00 pm. Must be 21-years-old or older. For more information or to reserve a table of 6-8 people, contact 360.407.3967.
St. Paddle’s Day
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED
March 14, 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Alderbrook Resort & Spa
The Alderbrook Resort & Spa is inviting all to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a full lineup of events including a non-sanctioned Hood Canal race, co-hosted with Salmon Bay Paddle. There will be a long course, a short course and a kid’s paddle course. Not into racing? You can participate in the SUP yoga while your kiddos do the free kid’s SUP clinic, both put on by Joonbug Yoga. All courses are $15, except for the kid’s, which is free. Register by March 13 here.
St. Paddy’s Day Celebration with Pinniped
March 14, 1:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Matchless Brewing
8036 River Dr. SE #208
Matchless Brewing is once again bringing you a rockin’ St. Patrick’s Day with the Irish band Pinniped. They will entertain with you with their fiddles and tunes, a mix of old and new from Ireland, Quebec and more. They will perform from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Opening for Pinniped this year is the Healy & Haggerty Duo, playing some traditional Celtic songs from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. South Bay BBQ will be providing tasty items with Irish flair from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and of course, there will be some green beer for all.
St. Patrick’s Day at Little Creek Casino Resort
March 17, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 a.m.
Try your Irish luck at Little Creek Casino Resort all day on March 17 to win big. Swipe your card at the promotional kiosk and select the lucky pot at the end of the rainbow for a chance to win freeplay prizes up to $750. There will also be exclusive prize pools based on Resort Rewards Tier and get one free swipe on Tuesday the 17, plus earn up to 10 additional swipes while you play.
Earn 300 points on Tuesday, March 17 from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 a.m to receive your St. Patrick’s Blinky Beads from the Players Club. Gold and Black card members receive one free gift just for stopping by the Players Club on St. Patrick’s Day! (they can earn one additional gift as well). Blinky Beads are available while supplies last. Check the Little Creek Casino Resort website for other March specials, including their $100,000 Lucky Loot drawings every Thursday!
Celtic Cruises
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED
March 19-22
Alderbrook Resort & Spa
Alderbrook Resort & Spa is also having their Celtic Cruises the third weekend in March, right after St. Patrick’s Day. The one-hour cruise will take you along the waters of the Hood Canal. Passengers will receive sparkling soda, a house-made snack and a customer stainless straw and Alderbrook carrying pouch. Purchase tickets here.
