Top Weekend Picks: Providence St. Patrick’s Day Parade & More

Friday, March 18, 2011

GoLocalProv Lifestyle Team

It's the best early spring weekend... the St Patrick's momentum, the St Joseph's sugar rush, and more besides. Here are the five Rhode Island weekend events you can't afford to miss.

Top St Patrick's Pick

Saturday
Saint Patrick's Day Parade, Providence
Begins at 12pm. Rhode Island State House, Smith Street. Celebrate Providence's rich Irish Heritage with a parade that begins at the State House and winds through the Smith Hill neighborhood. The parade follows the St. Patrick's Day 5K, which begins at 11:15am. Visit the St. Pat's Day 5K Web site for more information.

Top Music Pick

Friday
Peeptoad Coffeehouse: Pendragon, North Scituate, Scituate
Begins at pm. North Scituate Baptist Church, 619 West Greenville Road. Pendragon's music celebrates the lives and lore of generations of New Englanders who brought traditions from Ireland, Scotland, and French Canada. Adults, $15; children, $7.50. Visit FosteringArts.org for more information.

Top Literary Pick

Saturday
Celebrating H.P. Lovecraft: A Literary Walk, Providence
11am–12:30pm. John Brown House Museum, 52 Power St. Celebrate the life and work of Providence native and occult and horror fiction author H.P. Lovecraft, marking the anniversary of his death. Lovecraft's 'Providence stories' provide the basis for this walk. $10 per person, reservations required. Call 273-7507 or visit the Rhode Island Historical Society Web site for more information.

Top Outdoors Pick

Saturday
Great Swamp Walk, West Kingston, South Kingstown
Begins at 9am. Join the Narragansett Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club for an easy 5.5-mile hike. Celebrate the arrival of spring and check if ospreys have arrived! Bring lunch/snack to munch while you hear a bit of history by Worden's pond. Inclement weather will cancel. All are welcome; free; registration required. Call 789-8331 (between 7 and 9pm only please), or visit the AMC of Narragansett Web site for more information.

Top Local Culture Pick

Sunday
Museum of Work and Culture Salute to Spring/Bonjour Printemps Celebration!, Woonsocket

1:30–4:30pm. Museum of Work and Culture, 42 South Main St. The annual "Salute to Spring" marks the end of the annual appeal and features Sylvain's Acadian Aces and The Choir of Alliance Francaise of Providence performing a variety of French Songs. French Meat Pie and pastry will be served. Tickets are $15 per person. Call 769-9675 or visit the Rhode Island Historical Society Web site for more information.