If you want to don some green and head out for a St. Patrick’s Day event, we let you know your options. Here are a few events in Southwest Virginia.

OUR AREA

Blackburg

March of Ales Charity Beer Tasting
Saturday, March 15
6-10 p.m., German Club Manor
$30; tickets must be purchased in advance by contacting marchofales@yahoo.com
Not specifically a St. Patrick’s Day event, but the Irish will no doubt approve of including a beer tasting in your celebration.

St. Patrick’s Day Swing Out
Saturday, March 15
9 p.m., Colonial Ballroom, Squires Student Center, Virginia Tech
www.swingin.org.vt.edu

Floyd

Celtic Dining Event
Saturday, March 8
6:30 p.m., Château Morrisette
$75 per person, includes dinner, wine, entertainment, tax and gratuity
A Ceidhl (Celtic party) with a Celtic inspired three-course dinner with wine, a live band, traditional dance, story-telling, poetry, toasting, and signing. Advance registration required.
http://thedogs.com/index.php?pr=celtic

Irish Night
Friday, March 7 at Oddfella’s Cantina
http://oddfellascantina.com/cont/node/2

Roanoke

18th Annual Shamrock Hill Distance Run ’08
Saturday, March 15
Race starts at 8:30 a.m./ 5K begins at 9:15 a.m.
$15 early registration/$25 after March 7
Presented by Roanoke Catholic School, race located at the upper school gym.
www.roanokesaintpats.org

St. Patrick’s Afternoon Tea
Saturday, March 15
11 a.m., Petticoats and Petit Fours Tea Room, 311 W. Main St., Salem
$24 includes tax and gratuity
Full afternoon tea featuring corned beef brisket, Irish potato casserole and fresh baked scones for starters; reservations requested
www.petticoatsandpetitfourstearoom.com

Roanoke St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
Saturday, March 15
Celtic Festival: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at Railside Plaza; free
Parade noon-when it ends in Downtown Roanoke on Jefferson Street; free
The area’s largest St. Patrick’s Day Celtic Festival featuring traditional Irish pipe and drum bands, dancers, and several Celtic rock bands. Vendors will offer a variety of food, including authentic Irish and Scottish fare and crafters will feature traditional Celtic goods. www.roanokesaintpats.org

Bedford

St. Patrick’s Day at Peaks of Otter Winery
March 15-17
Noon-5 p.m., Peaks of Otter Winery
Free
Visit the winery wearing green and receive an extra discount on wine.
www.peaksofotterwinery.com

Harrisonburg

Dublin’s Traditional Irish Cabaret
Tuesday, March 18
7:30-10 p.m., Wilson Hall Auditorium, James Madison University
$20-22
Come see a lively blend of traditional Irish dance, ballads, and tunes.
http://cvpa.jmu.edu/masterpiece/Encore(07).htm

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Willing to travel farther for St. Patty’s festivities? These regional events may be of interest.

Charlotte, N.C.

12th Annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade and Charlotte Goes Green Festival
Saturday, March 15
Parade begins at 10:30 a.m. at Tryon and 9th Street in uptown Charlotte; free
Festival 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.; free
The festival will feature Irish music, dancers, bagpipers, food, vendors and plenty of beverages.
www.charlottestpatsday.com

Raleigh, N.C.

Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival
Saturday, March 15
Parade begins at noon in downtown Raleigh and the festival begins after the parade in Moore Square
It’s the second largest parade in the Southeast, with more than 3,500 marchers including floats, pipe and drum bands, horses, dancers, and mascots.
www.raleighstpats.org

Richmond, Va.

Shamrock the Block 2008
Saturday, March 15
12-6 p.m., 18th Street from Grace to Main; free
The festival will feature eco-friendly products this year.
www.shamrocktheblock.com/shamrock%2008/shamrock.htm

6th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
Monday, March 17
4 p.m., Capital Ale House
They will have more than 10 different Irish and Scottish ales on tap and at least 10 more in the bottle. Menu items include traditional Irish fare. A downtown celebration will take place starting at 8:30 p.m. in the Downtown Music Hall featuring Edsall Road, Tinkers Dam, and Greater Richmond Pipes and Drum.
www.capitalalehouse.com/our_shows.php

Knoxville, Tenn.

St. Patrick’s Day Irish Festival
Saturday, March 15
Parade at 9:30; festival from 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Turkey Creek Promenade parking lot

Washington, D.C.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Sunday, March 16
Parade begins at noon and will proceed down Constitution Avenue
Grandstand seating available for $5
The theme of this year’s parade is “A History of Strength.”
www.dcstpatsparade.com

Shamrock Fest
Saturday, March 15
Noon-10 p.m., RFK Stadium Festival Grounds
Prices vary
One of America’s premier festivals, with 11 stages and over 50 party bands and DJs. All ages welcome to the Main Event areas. 21 and up to get into VIP areas.
www.shamrockfest.com