Clark County goes green for St. Paddy’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day is both about the wearing of the green and the raising of the green for the Parks Foundation of Clark County.

The St. Paddy’s for Parks festivities at Shorty’s Home and Garden on March 13 mark the start of the agency’s fundraising season, and is also an opportunity for adults to get out and celebrate all things Irish.

“It’s a fun time,” said Sherry Murphy Thompson, acting director of the Parks Foundation of Clark County. “It’s a very casual environment. It’s a great place to network with other people in the community, listen to some great Irish music, drink Irish beer and try some Irish food.”

The event, in its fifth year, is for adults 21 and older. It typically draws somewhere between 750 to 1,000 people and raises about $10,000 for the agency, Thompson said.

Adults pay $30 at the door, which includes food, entertainment and a drink ticket. And profits help the foundation provide grants for local parks, recreation and community activities.

“Last year, we gave out about $181,000 in community grants,” Thompson said. “Some of the things we funded were a skatepark in Yacolt, a pickle ball court in Washougal and teen late-night events in Vancouver.”

The foundation also has a more family-focused Irish celebration for younger members of the community. The free St. Paddy’s for Kids festival is the morning of March 14 at Shorty’s, which donates space to both events.

“That event doesn’t raise any money,” Thompson said. “It’s just a way to teach kids and have some family fun.”

In that event, children get a passport and visit several activity or education stations to get a stamp.

“The booths teach kids about nature, recreation, and once the kids get all their stamps, they get to the end of the rainbow and the pot of gold,” Thompson said. “That pot is filled with toys, and each child gets to pick a toy to bring home.”

Shorty’s will also have a gift card drawing for parents as they enjoy the event with their kids.

Last year, about 700 people showed up for the Saturday event.

And those two events are far from the only ones celebrating Irish culture in Clark County this weekend. The area’s three big Irish pubs, Shanahan’s Pub & Grill, Dublin Down Irish Pub and Irishtown Public House, all have a series of events planned leading up to Tuesday’s St. Patrick’s Day holiday.

Other events around the area include Irish ballroom dancing, traditional corned beef and cabbage dinners, Irish music and a parade.

Ready to explore? Here’s a list of Irish fun to get you started:

o Irish pubs (call or check websites for event details): Dublin Down Irish Pub, 813 Main St., 360-695-6712, www.facebook.com/DublinDownIrishBar; Shanahan’s Pub & Grill, 209 W. McLoughlin Blvd., 360-735-1440, shanahanspubvancouver.com; Irishtown Public House, 11600 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd., Suite F., 360-253-1479, irishtownpub.com..

o St. Paddy’s for Parks, 5 p.m. March 13: This adult-only event will feature Five Guys Named Moe, the Vancouver Fire Fighters Pipes and Drums and the Molly Malone Irish Dancers. Benefiting the Parks Foundation of Clark County. Shorty’s Garden and Home, 10006 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver; $30 at the door for those 21 and older. www.parksfoundation.us.

o Second Friday Ballroom Dance, Shamrock Ball, 7 to 10:30 p.m. March 13: The Swing Street Glenn Tadina Band performs with vocalist Kathy Stanton. Clark County Square Dance Center, 10713 N.E. 117th Ave., Vancouver; $10. Fast foxtrot lessons from 7 to 8 p.m. with Joseph and Julieann Platt; $5. 503-769-5598 or www.swingst.com.

o St. Paddy’s for Kids, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 14: An event for children featuring themed arts and crafts, nature activities and story time. Shorty’s Garden and Home, 10006 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver; free. www.parksfoundation.us.

o St. Paddy’s Dinner and Dance, 6 p.m. to midnight March 14: The American Legion Cape Horn Post 122 hosts an Irish dinner of corned beef and cabbage for all ages from 6 to 7:30 p.m., followed by dancing and music by Running with Scissors from 8 p.m. to midnight for those 21 and older. American Legion Cape Horn Post 122, 10221 Washougal River Road, Washougal; $15, $25 per couple, $7 for children 12 and younger; $5 for dance only, ages 21 and older. 360-837-3470.

o St. Patrick’s Celebration, 2 p.m. March 15: Irish musicians Colleen Raney and Hanz Araki will lead a St. Patrick’s Celebration, joined by Ryan Davidson and Alicia Guinn. The performance will also feature dancers from the Tara Academy of Irish Dance. Old Liberty Theater, 115 N. Main Ave., Ridgefield; $12, $8 for children. 360-887-7260 or www.oldlibertytheater.com

o Paddy Hough Parade, 12:30 p.m. March 17: Celebrating Irish immigrant and pioneer educator Patrick “Paddy” Hough, the annual parade is held in his honor. Neighbors, elementary school students, local businesses and community groups celebrate with live music, marching bands, classic cars and awards for students. Best viewing on Main Street between 24th Street and McLoughlin Boulevard. Hough Elementary School, 1900 Daniels St., Vancouver. www.houghfoundation.org

o Couve Clover Run, 8:30 a.m. March 22: Walk or run 3-, 7-, or 10-mile routes to support local charities of the participants choice. There will be post-race food and festivities with an Irish theme. Dublin Down and Main Event Sports Grill, 800 Main St., Vancouver; $55 to $65, $30 to $50 for ages 16 and younger. 360-574-7292 or www.nwpersonaltraining.com