St. Patrick’s Day Dinner and Dance, Norse Hall, 111 NE 11th, 236-3401, Fri March 17, 5:30 pm, $16
Looking for a tasty traditional Irish meal on St. Patrick’s Day? Of course you are! This dinner includes all the classic favorites: corned beef and cabbage, potatoes, carrots, salad, fresh bread, coffee, and dessert. Enjoy a live Irish dance performance by the An Daire Academy while you dine. If an evening of green-tinted alcohol isn’t your steez, wait for the hall’s Sesame Club’s Ballroom Dance (7:30 pm, $9), featuring smooth Latin and swing music—which doesn’t sound very Irish, but who the hell cares? It’s fun! Dinner by advance reservation only! CSB
Annual Spring VegFest, First Unitarian Church, 1011 SW 13th, 224-7380, Sat March 18, 10 am–6 pm, $5/person or $15/family
This no-meat festival, brought to you by Northwest Veg, will feature free vegan food samples, product exhibitors, cooking demonstrations, children’s activities, and speakers on a variety of vegetarian topics including nutrition, environment, and the benefits of this lifestyle. Speakers include Howard Lyman the Mad Cowboy, educator/author George Eisman, and chef and cookbook author Bo Rinaldi. CSB
The Taste of Tillamook County, Tillamook County Fairgrounds Convention Center, 4603 3rd, Tillamook, March 17-19, Fri 5-9 pm, Sat 10 am-9 pm, Sun 11 am-3 pm, $5
Head out toward the coast and enjoy a weekend of food and music in Tillamook. This culinary event will feature a number of local food and beverage booths, food demonstrations, wine and beer tasting, a children’s activity area, a local “soul food” art exhibit, and live music. All proceeds from the event will benefit Food Security programs in Tillamook County. CSB