WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – St. Patrick’s Day weekend is here and that means ample opportunities to drink beer, eat delicious food, listen to some great live music and dance the night away. If celebrating Irish heritage is not your cup of tea, there are plenty of other fun events in Whatcom County this weekend too.
Boundary Bay Brewery is geared up for a full weekend of St. Patrick’s Day events. On Saturday, March 15, Bottle of Smoke will perform the music of iconic Irish rockers The Pogues. It’s an all-ages event that runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Opening for Bottle of Smoke is Bellingham-based folk band The Moving Hats. Tickets are $10 and can be found at Boundary Bay’s website.
The Bellingham St. Patrick’s Day Parade is on Sunday, March 16. Just like the famous parades in New York, Chicago and Boston, Bellingham’s parade honors local first responders and safety personnel. Dress in your finest green attire and join the short walk from Bellingham’s waterfront to Boundary Bay Brewery.
The parade starts at noon on W. Laurel Ave at Kulshan Trackside. Event organizers are encouraging participants to show up by 11:30.
After the parade, be sure to check out the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Afterparty at Boundary Bay. There will be live music, dancers and Irish food available from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the taproom and in the beer garden. This is a free event.
Of course, St. Patrick’s Day is on Monday, March 17 and Boundary Bay has you covered for the big day. It all starts off with a free event at 11 a.m. featuring live music and Irish food. Plus, the Penk O’Donnell Irish dancers will be performing throughout the brewery. Make a reservation at bbaybrewery.com
The celebration of Irish heritage wraps up on Monday evening with more live music in Boundary Bay’s beer garden. The Dublin Letters will perform Irish ballads and the music of several famous Irish bands. The show runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $10.
Wherever you choose to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year, make sure you do it safely and be sure to greet everyone with a hearty “Erin go bragh!” (Translation: Ireland forever.)
If you would rather avoid the green clad masses, head up to Blaine this weekend to enjoy Wings Over Water: Northwest Birding Festival. There will be activities for all ages to experience the outdoors and delights of birding.
Some examples of what to expect: a Semiahmoo spit guided birding tour, explore the flora and fauna of Birch Bay, North Cascades Audubon Society bird viewing stations, a live raptor show, and the Wings Under Water presentation featuring diving ducks, cormorants, kingfishers and more all on a massive screen.
Wings Over Water runs Friday through Sunday at locations in Blaine, Birch Bay and Semiahmoo. For all the details go to the Wings Over Water Birding Festivals website.
Spring is on the horizon, which means many couples are planning their upcoming weddings. If you need some help, check out the Whatcom County Wedding Showcase in Ferndale on Saturday.
Meet local business owners, wedding and event planners, florists, DJs, photographers and more. It is a one-stop shopping experience to help you get started or put the finishing touches on your big day.
The Whatcom County Wedding Showcase runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday at the Ferndale Events Center. Tickets are $7 with a chance to win prizes. Go to whatcomshowcase.com for all the details.
Our featured live show this week is at the Blue Room in downtown Bellingham. Carrie Jennings will bring her brand of soulful melodies and trip hop inspired sounds to the all-ages venue on Sunday at 7 p.m. Fans of Portishead, Lana Del Ray and local acts like Byland don’t want to miss this show.
Opening for Carrie Jennings is Wes Watkins. Tickets are just $10. Go to blueroombham.com for all the details.