Around the Sun: A Blog About Saving Money in Portland, Oregon, and beyond

Free Events in Portland: March 16–18

March 15th, 2012

Happy Saint Paddy’s Day!

Note: Admission is free for the following events, but you might be charged for activities or food and drink.

Events are sorted by start time. If I missed anything, please leave a comment.

All weekend

Kells St. Patrick’s Irish Festival: Free music and other entertainment on Friday and Sunday. On Saturday, admission to the pub is free all day; the front tent is free until 8:00 pm. Family-friendly activities on Saturday from noon to 8:00 pm and on Sunday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Theatre Performance of “The Little House on the Prairie”: A free student performance. Multnomah Arts Center (7688 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland). Friday and Saturday, 7:00 pm; Sunday, 2:30 pm.

Friday, March 16

The Art and Science of Shoemaking: Learn about the interdisciplinary pursuit that is making shoes by hand: design, drawing, sewing, sculpture, biology, chemistry, physics and math. Halo Shoes (938 NW Everett St, Portland), 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm.

School’s Out Movie Matinee: “Dolphin Tale”: This movie was inspired by the true story of a brave dolphin and the compassionate strangers who banded together to save her life. Tualatin Public Library, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Edgefield: Music begins at 4:30 pm: Cul An Ti, Whitethorn (ages 21+), River City Pipe Band, Johnny B. Connolly (21+), and The Strange Tones.

Night Walk at the Tualatin River NWR (Registration Required): Learn about the adaptations animals have which allow them to be most active at night and discover the sights and sounds for yourself on a guided walk through one of the few urban refuges in the country. Registration required.

7Horse will perform at Music Millennium (3158 E. Burnside St, Portland) at 6:00 pm.

“Anatomy of Injustice: A Murder Case Gone Wrong”: Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Raymond Bonner talks about executions and his new book, an investigation into the shortcomings of our justice system that were brought to light by a mishandled murder case in South Carolina. Powell’s City of Books on Burnside, 7:30 pm.

Saint Patrick’s Day Celebration at the Thirsty Lion: The Portland and Tigard locations will host live music on Friday and Saturday.

Saturday, March 17

Graham Oaks Nature Park Bird Walk (Registration Required): Oak savanna, fir forests, creeks and canyons offer wildlife-watching opportunities on this expert guided walk. Advance registration required.

Saint Patrick’s Day Celebration at the Thirsty Lion: The Portland and Tigard locations will host live music on Friday and Saturday.

Rainwater Harvesting for Beginners: Learn how to catch rain for use during the dry part of the year. The course is designed for homeowners/landowners who want to augment their water supply. Home Depot (2002 Washington St, Oregon City), 9:00 am.

Oregon Children’s Theatre Open House: The theatre has a new home, and it’s time to celebrate with class samplers, performances, tours, Cupcake Jones cupcakes, and more. 1939 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Westmoreland Nature Park Playdate: This fun, interactive workshop will give you and your children the opportunity to explore nature-based play. Learn how a nature-based play area differs from a traditional playground. 5040 SE Milwaukie Ave, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Guided Nature Walk: Today’s theme is “Slugs Can Save Your Life.” Tryon Creek State Natural Area (11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd, Portland), 10:00 am.

Oregon Historical Society Free Family Day: Celebrate elephant Packy’s 50th birthday with live music, art, animal guests, treats, and more. 1200 SW Park Avenue, Portland, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Oregon Maritime Museum Free Family Day: Families with children under 14 years of age are invited to explore the main exhibit space and participate in a scavenger hunt for free. The museum is located aboard the Steamer Portland docked at SW Naito and SW Pine in Downtown Portland. 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations at McMenamins:

• Kennedy School: Music and movies. 11:00 am ‘til late.
• Cornelius Pass Roadhouse & Imbrie Hall: Tours and tastings from 1:00 pm ’til 8:00 pm. Music starts at 5:00 pm.
• Edgefield: Music, Irish dancers, face painting for the kids, and more. Performances from noon through the evening.
• McMenamins Old Church & Pub in Wilsonville: Music begins at 2:00 pm. Face painting and balloons for the kids.
• Ringlers Pub: Music at 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm.
• Al’s Den: Music begins at 7:00 pm.
• Rock Creek Tavern: Garcia Birthday Band at 9:00 pm.

Pooches on the Green: All dogs and their friends are welcome at this St. Paw-trick’s day celebration. Beaverton City Park (5th Street and Hall Boulevard, Beaverton), 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

The Art and Science of Shoemaking: Learn about the interdisciplinary pursuit that is making shoes by hand: design, drawing, sewing, sculpture, biology, chemistry, physics and math. Halo Shoes (938 NW Everett St, Portland), 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm

Bubble Brains: Celebrate Brain Awareness Week. Create art, snack on bagels, and challenge family and friends with brain teasers for kids of all ages. Tigard Public Library, 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm.

Toys for Ramona: Learn how Ramona Quimby made her own instruments, stilts, and other inventions out of common household materials. Great for children ages 4-10 and their families. Albina Library (3605 NE 15th Ave, Portland), 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

“Dubious Company” Release Party: Celebrate the release of volume one of this webcomic. Cosmic Monkey Comics (5335 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland), 4:00 pm.

CelloBop: Gideon Freudmann has created his own style of cello music called CelloBop—a fusion of blues, jazz, folk and more. Hillsboro Main Library (2850 NE Brookwood Parkway, Hillsboro), 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Kids St. Paddy’s Day Concert with Mr. Ben, followed by Brad Creel & the Reel Deel. Mississippi Pizza (3552 N. Mississippi Ave, Portland), 4:00 pm.

Queerlandia Last Year Best Year Dance Party: A night of live music, DJs, dancing, and more, celebrating the queer community. Red Cap Garage & Boxxes (1035 SW Stark St, Portland), 9:00 pm. Ages 21+.

Sunday, March 18

Washington State Parks Free Day: Admission to all state parks in Washington will be free on Sunday and Monday.

Landscaping for Conservation Workshop (Registration Required): Save time, save money and help the environment by letting nature do your gardening. Learn how your garden can function more like the natural system surrounding it. 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Registration required.

Irving Berlin: The Ultimate Jewish Immigrant: Join educator Charles Troy for a multimedia presentation of Berlin’s amazing life story. Central Library (801 SW 10th Ave, Portland), 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm.

Choosing the Right Phone Plan: This Smart Saving workshop compares the different types of phone services available including traditional landline, cell phone, and voice over Internet protocol (VoiP) options. Woodstock Library (6008 SE 49th Ave, Portland), 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

More free events

For more free and low-cost events, check Portland on the Cheap, PDX Pipeline, Dave Knows Portland, and the Oregonian.

For kids events, check UrbanMamas and PDX Kids Calendar.

For free concerts, see Concert Co-op, Mississippi Pizza, and McMenamins.

And please check out your local library!

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Entry Filed under: Free