If you’re Irish (and even if you’re not) you’re in luck if you live in Lake Oswego. This year St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Tuesday but that doesn’t mean you can’t start celebrating earlier! Maher’s annual festival kicks off on Friday, March 13 and runs through Sunday, March 15, then picks up again on Tuesday, March 17. Here are some of the activities they’ve lined up to ensure you have a whale of a time.

♣Music. When it comes to traditional Celtic music, there are lots of sounds to choose from—wiry like the fiddle, plunky like the banjo, high pitched like the bagpipes. What they all have in common is a direct line to your emotions and your feet as you find yourself wanting to laugh, cry, have another beer and dance. So be prepared to do a little (or a lot) of each as you enjoy the sounds of local talent like the Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue Pipes and Drums (the Pacific Northwest’s first fire service pipe band), fiddler Tricia Fire Fingers, traditional Irish shanty band Biddy on the Bench, and rock fiddler Tyler Carson. Check the complete schedule online.

♣Dancing. Like I said, the music moves you and it really kicks Irish Step Dancers into high gear. See for yourself as performances will be held each day, including one that invites audience participation on Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

♣Family Fun. Maher’s has deemed Sunday as Family Day with all kinds of activities from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to entertain the kids including games, face painting, music, prizes, treats and Irish dance lessons.

♣Whiskey. It has been called the Irish cure for everything—“It may not MAKE you better, but you’ll sure FEEL better.” Maher’s is out to do their part to cure what ails you with a Jameson whiskey tasting and poker tournament on Saturday, March 14 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Free to enter.

As a 100% Irishman, I’d like to leave you with an Irish blessing–

May the road rise up to meet you
And lead you to our town
Where the quality of life
Will never let you down.

Let us know how you plan on spending St. Patrick’s Day by leaving a comment below. And click the “Sign me up” button to subscribe to “52 Reasons to Love Lake Oswego.”