Painting Fourth Avenue green

Fáilte (welcome) to all to celebrate St. Patrick's Day this weekend.

Friday is St. Patrick's Day and revelers of all ages and origins are invited to join in by riding a free trolley or a flat-bed hay truck in a miniparade at 7 p.m. Friday to lay a green stripe along Seattle's Fourth Avenue from Jefferson Street to Westlake Park to mark the route of Saturday's St. Patrick's Day parade. The Irish Wolfhound Club and Seattle Gaels Hurling and Football Club are among more than 60 groups in this year's parade, which starts at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Along with travel guide Rick Steves as grand marshal, spectators are welcome to join in the parade, with a Seniors Shamrock Shuttle available for elders and others who can't walk the distance. Free performances of Irish music and dance highlight the Irish Week Festival at Seattle Center noon-2 p.m. Friday, noon-6 p.m. Saturday and 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Kids may enter the Smilingest Irish Eyes or Most Irish-looking Face contests, make shamrock crafts both days and meet the Mariner Moose Sunday. Irish- and Celtic-themed displays and vendors, food and beverages, Irish history and genealogy information, beginning Irish (Gaelic) language class and a set-dancing workshop are among other attractions at the festival. Special exhibits this year include the Irish War of Independence Memorabilia Exhibit honoring the 90th anniversary of Ireland being declared a republic; the International Joyce Exhibit telling the story of Irish writer James Joyce; and a photo exhibit of landscapes in Ireland.

For more information, contact the Irish Heritage Club at 425-290-7839 or see www.irishclub.org; or contact Seattle Center at 206-684-7200 or see www.seattlecenter.com.

— Madeline McKenzie, Seattle Times staff