Try this: Paddy Hough Parade, St. Patrick’s Day shenanigans, ‘Next to Normal’

Paddy’s parade

The Paddy Hough Parade will assemble at 11:30 a.m. Friday in front of Hough Elementary School at 1900 Daniels St., Vancouver. The 2024 parade, themed “We All Belong,” is an all-community event, including Hough students, as well as those from other local schools and preschools, car clubs, local dignitaries and Vancouver organizations. The best viewing is at 12:30 p.m. on Main Street between 24th Street and McLoughlin Street.

Hop to it

Take photographs with the Easter Bunny at Vancouver Mall every day through March 30. Book sessions at whereisbunny.com/mall/0803 or walk in. Packages are $39.99 to $49.99. The Easter Bunny is accepting visitors 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Between March 23 and 30, hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 360-256-8122.

Go green

Wear your best green outfit to join the St. Patrick’s Day shenanigans from 6 to 11 p.m. March 15 at Cloverlane Mercantile and Event Center, 16391 N.E. 182nd Ave., Brush Prairie. Dancehall Days will play live music. The event will also feature Irish fare, green drink specials and prizes. Tickets are $10 at eventbrite.com. Learn more at facebook.com/CloverlaneinHockinson.

Leading the way

The Historic Trust and Humanities Washington will host a discussion with Quin’Nita Cobbins-Modica entitled “We Are Also in Bondage Here: Black Women in the Washington Civil Rights Movement” at 6 p.m. today at the Red Cross Building, 605 Barnes St., Vancouver. In the 1960s, Black women were the driving force behind civil rights campaigns to dismantle statewide racial segregation and discriminatory practices. This talk examines their collective leadership efforts and activist work, which resulted in legislative changes and affected the state’s residents. Register at thehistorictrust.org.

Family matters

Metropolitan Performing Arts presents the Tony Award-winning “Next to Normal,” which follows a suburban family grappling with their mother’s mental health crisis. Performances are 7 p.m. Fridays, 6 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through March 30 at 6403 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Family Day is March 17 and Pride Night is March 23. The material is suitable for ages 13 and up. Tickets are $16 to $20 at mpa.booktix.com or call the box office at 360-975-1585. For details, see metropolitanperformingarts.org.

… And more

For more details about these and other events — such as free concerts by the Clark College Chorale and Treble Ensemble, Concert Band, Concert Choir and Chamber Choir, Vancouver School of Arts and Academics presentation of “Noises Off” and chess lessons at Covington House — visit events.columbian.com.