St. Patrick’s Day falls on Sunday this year, so naturally two of the biggest celebrants of the Irish holiday, McMenamins and Kells (the Pub and the Brewery), are hosting three day celebrations starting on Friday.

McMenamins of course is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day at all locations this Sunday, but at its larger properties (such as the Old St. Francis School) the party takes place all three days of the long weekend. “We’re marking our favorite holiday with seasonal McMenamins Irish Stout, Irish Coffee, Irish Reuben & MacSleyne Irish Stew. Bring your Passport to get the green just-for-fun stamp, just for stopping by!”

The properties that are partying all three days are hosting live music along with the food and drink specials. These include the Hotel Oregon, Anderson School, Kalama Harbor Lodge, Gearhart Hotel, Kennedy School, Edgefield, and the Grand Lodge (in addition to the OSF linked above).

The highlight, for me anyway, is always McMenamins Irish Stout, easy drinking at 4.9% ABV and nice and dry. Though you can’t go wrong with the Irish Stew or Reuben.

In Portland, Kells Irish Pub and Kells Brewery are hosting the 28th annual Kells Irish Festival, claimed to be the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration in the state. It takes place primarily at the downtown Pub, with additional music and events at the Brewery on NW 21st. “The three-day event offers live music, traditional Irish dancing, bagpipers, Irish food, craft beer, and other libations.”

Here are highlighted events:

The Smoker is a boxing event that pits Golden Glove boxers from Ireland against the best amateur pugilists of the Northwest. The event kicks off the festival on Friday, March 15, in the festival tent at Kells Irish Pub (Downtown). Advanced general admission tickets are separate from the festival cover and cost $30 at Ticket Tomato or at the door.

A new event debuting this year is The Ride for Gold, a bicycle race and scavenger hunt where teams of two riders follow clues around the region to find shamrocks hidden along the course. The ride will take place on Saturday, March 16, beginning at Cathedral Park and finishing at Kells Brewery. Registration and more information will be available soon at OBRA.

Family Day will take place at Kells Irish Pub (Downtown) on Sunday, March 17, and feature arts and crafts, face painting, Irish dancing, and visits with Irish wolfhounds. Attendees can browse Celtic jewelry vendors and learn about Celtic genealogy and history, including meeting and listening to members of the Ancient Order of the Hibernian’s Portland Chapter.

Check the site for ticket prices and purchase options for individual days.

There are of course myriad other St. Paddy’s events taking place but these are the two big ones for Oregon. Sláinte!