Get your green on: 'Tis St. Paddy's Day

St. Patrick's Day is Monday, bestowing the honor of being Irish on everyone for four days of festivities around Seattle. Whether you're Irish through-and-through, a wee bit or not at all, a bit of wearin' of the green is all it takes to be part of the celebration of the Emerald Isle of Eire this weekend.

Seattle's Irish Heritage Club invites people of all ages to gather Friday evening near F.X. McRory's Steak, Chop & Oyster House for an informal miniparade on foot or riding a flatbed truck to lay a green stripe along the route of Saturday's St. Patrick's Day parade. That day, parade grand marshals including Ambassador from the European Union and former Irish Prime Minister John Bruton; local Irish musician Joe Martin; Mayor Greg Nickels; and other special guests raise the Irish Tricolor in front of the King County Administration Building, followed by the playing of the Irish and U.S. national anthems. That kicks off the parade that follows Fourth Avenue to Westlake Park. Groups participating in the parade need to preregister, but individuals are welcome to join in and those of Irish ancestry are encouraged to march behind the banner of the Irish province representing their heritage. Anyone who can't walk the distance is welcome to ride in the parade's Seniors' Shamrock Shuttle bus. After arriving at Westlake Park, the parade travels to Seattle Center via the Monorail for a 2 p.m. closing ceremony.

The Irish Festival at Seattle Center hosts music, workshops, films, art displays and vendors Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Learn about Irish history and genealogy or take a beginning Irish-language class Saturday and Sunday and learn Irish set dancing Sunday afternoon. Kids up to age 12 can make shamrock garlands and other crafts all weekend and join in the "Most Irish-looking Face" contest Saturday and "Smilingest Irish Eyes" contest Sunday. Irish music and dancing fill the Center House stage Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The details

Green-stripe laying: Gather at 6:30 p.m. to set out at 7 p.m. Friday from F.X. McRory's Steak, Chop & Oyster House, 419 Occidental Ave. S., Seattle.

St. Patrick's Day Parade: Flag-raising at King County Administration Building at Fourth Avenue and Jefferson Street at 12:20 p.m. Saturday; parade starts from there at 12:30 p.m., traveling north on Fourth Avenue to Westlake Park (Fourth and Pine).

Irish Festival: Noon-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, noon-4 p.m. Monday, Center House, Seattle Center.

Cost: All events free.

Parking and transportation: Downtown Seattle and Seattle Center, street and pay-lot parking available. Saturday from noon-3 p.m., ride the monorail from Westlake Center to Seattle Center free; regular round-trip fare $1.75-$4. For bus information, call Metro Transit at 206-553-3000 or tripplanner.metrokc.gov.

More information: Irish Heritage Club, 206-223-3608 or www.irishclub.org; Seattle Center, 206-684-7200 or www.seattlecenter.com.