Saint Patrick's Day!

I love Saint Patrick's Day.  Here is one holiday of the year when Salem looks just like a holiday picture postcard.  We may dream of a white Christmas, and our Great Pumpkin costumes may always be concealed under a raincoat, but on St. Patrick's day, the Willamette Valley looks exactly like the rolling, lush hills of Ireland. Oregonians can easily imagine the wee-folk dashing behind the daffodils, or the pots of gold at the end of every rainbow.  So this weekend, don your green garb, set the corned beef and cabbage in the crock pot (here's a great recipe!), and head out for some St. Patrick's Day fun activities with your kids!

Saturday, The Ceili of the Valley Society hosts their 2nd Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade.  Come down to the Salem Riverfront Park at the Carousel at noon.  Wear your green Irish pride and join the Leprechauns, Banshhees and Menehune for free family fun.

Sunday, the Salem Riverfront Carousel hosts its own St. Patrick's Fun Day at the Carousel.  The fun lasts all day, and between noon and 3:00 there will be family activities, limited free rides, and a live bagpipe player.  

I hope you have a wonderful weekend out there with your kiddos.  Send me some pics of your good times.  If you have an event you'd like listed on the Calendar, email me here.  And may the luck o' the Irish be with you!

FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013

ALL DAY

• 8:30-2:00 Home School Day - Oceanography, Evergreen Aviation Museum, All Ages, $20, Pre-registration Required
• 8:00-4:00 Spring Homeschool Day - An Ocean of Engineering, Hatfield Marine Science Center, K-12, $25, Pre-registration Required
• No School for 6-12 students, Salem Keizer Schools

MORNING

• 10:30 Salem Library, Lapsit Storytime, infants and toddlers

AFTERNOON

• 2:00 Salem Library, Friday Family Film, All Ages

EVENING

• 6:00-11:00 Friday Night Magic!, Hopscotch Toys  Ages 8+, $7, Must bring or purchase Magic the Gathering Standard Deck
• 6:30 Family Open Gym, Defy Aerial Fitness Studio, All Ages, Under 13years must be accompanied by a parent, $3/person
• Planetarium Shows, Chemeketa Community College, All Ages, $4/$5

SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2013

ALL DAY

• 9:00-1:00 Corvallis Winter Farmers Market at Benton County Fairgrounds
• 10:00-4:00 McMinnville Public Market
• 11:00-2:00 - All Dressed Up 2nd Annual Prom Dress Giveaway, Stayton Community Center, High School Students, Free

MORNING

• 10:30 - 11:15 Brain Boosters, Salem Library, Ages 3 - 6, pre-registration recommended

AFTERNOON

• 12:00-3:00 Ceili of the Valley Society's St. Patrick's Celebration Parade, Salem Riverfront Carousel, All Ages, Free
• 12:00-4:00 Champoeg History Cache, Champoeg State Heritage Area, all ages
• 1:00-4:00 Discovery Saturday: Egg Laying Mammals, Gilbert Discovery Village, all ages, Free with Admission
• 2:00 - 3:30 Salem Library, Monthly Lego Party, All Ages

EVENING

• 7:00 Salem Library, Family festival of the Arts - Nyewusi Askari aka Askari Da Storytella, All Ages

SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 2013
St. Patrick's Day

ALL DAY

• 9:30-2:30 Salem Collectors and Flea Market, All Ages, $2

MORNING

• 8:00-1:00 Birding Outing to Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, Salem Audobon Society (503-363-8435), All ages who can hike for 4 hours, Free 

AFTERNOON

• 12:00-3:00 St. Patrick's Day Event, Salem Riverfront Carousel, all ages

EVENING

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