Northwest

OREGON

Pacific City

March 5: Mardi Gras: Crock lunch featuring Chicken & Rice Gumbo, plus face painting, bead bingo, and try your luck to find the baby in the King Cake!

March 12: Mad Hatter Tea Party: Paintin’ the Roses Red craft, Heart’s Bingo, Off with Yer Head goose golf.

March 19: Pot O’ Gold: Crock lunch featuring Irish Stew, plus shamrock hunt and pin the shamrock on Paddy’s Pig.

March 21-25: Oregon Spring Break activities will include scavenger hunt, bingo, crafts, hula hooping, sidewalk chalk, bubble soap and parachute games. Whale Watch Week – watch for mama whales with their calves swimming north.

March 26: Toga! Toga! Toga!: Event includes Greek alphabet hunt, leaf headband craft and Toga costume contest.

March 5-6
Spring Craft Sale
Held at Tillamook County Fairgrounds. For more information call (503) 842-2272.

Seaside

Throughout the month we will be having several March Madness Property Clean Up events. Plus, on event-day Saturdays, the Cafe will be open for a great and hearty breakfast and snacks and refreshments will be provided and the day will end with a BBQ.

March 18-20: We start off our Earth Day Celebration by getting outdoors on Saturday and picking up the recyclables on the preserve.

March 25-27: Scheduled for Saturday, our second event, “Pick-Up Sticks” will have us walking around our 70 acres and doing exactly that. Last year our burn pile measured 20x20x6. Incredible!

March 11-12
Pouring at the Coast – Craft Beer Fest
It’s Pouring at the Oregon Coast – only this time it’s with Oregon’s Craft Beers! In association with the Oregon Brewers Guild, Astoria Brewing Co, Bill’s Tavern, Rogue Ales and Fort George Brewery, events include Brewers Dinner on March 11 and Pouring and Tasting event on March 12. For more event details visit www.seasidechamber.com/events/pouring

Whalers Rest

March 19: March Madness begins at Whalers Rest with a week packed with craziness beginning with breakfast and dinner today in our North Clubhouse. Also join us for a great BBQ for lunch. It’s Carnival Time tonight in our South Clubhouse beginning at 7 p.m. Be sure to catch the fun puppet show performed by First Baptist Puppeteers.

March 22: Teen Night: Calling all teens for a great time in our North Clubhouse beginning at 7 p.m. We will have fun with games and prizes; ages 12-20.

March 24: Extreme Kids Night will be hopping in our South Clubhouse from 7 to 11 p.m. Fun and crazy games, snacks, and fun movies.

March 26: Join us for breakfast or dinner in our North Clubhouse. Plus tonight is Bingo Madness beginning at 7 p.m. in the North Clubhouse. We’ll be serving up fun games, free popcorn and soda for all ages.

March 19-26 Spring Whale Watch This week is the peak time for winter migrations; however whales may be seen heading south from mid-March to late May. For more information visit www.whalespoken.org.

WASHINGTON

Birch Bay

March 18: St. Patrick’s Day Potluck at 5 p.m.

March 19
9th Annual Wings Over Water Pacific Northwest Birding Festival
This great event is for avid bird enthusiasts and casual observers providing enjoyment for the whole family. Events include family activities, wildlife and geology guided field trips to Semiahmoo Split, walking tours of Marine Park shoreline, art and craft vendors, Sardis Center Live Raptor presentations, wildlife speakers and more. Festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Blaine Middle School, 975 H Street, just 3 miles from the preserve.

Chehalis

March at Chehalis is beautiful and peaceful. Our spa is open daily for folks over 18 and children over 8 accompanied by an adult. Plus, we have an All-Ages Matinee Saturday at the Adult Lodge throughout March.

March 20-21
Vernal Equinox Arts Fair
Held at the Morgan Arts Centre, Toledo, just 20 minutes from the preserve. For more information, call (360) 864-4278 or visit www.morganartscentre.com.

La Conner

March 2-4: Mid-Winter Break for local schools – watch our boards for activity postings for crafts, games and movies. March 12-13: St. Patrick’s Day Dinner. Join us for a traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner.

March - April
Daffodil Fields are in Bloom!
Nothing shouts spring as loudly as our brilliant daffodils! As our fields begin exploding with color, we invite you to experience the delightful magic of nature in the farmlands of La Conner and Skagit Valley.

Leavenworth

March 5: Come to Leavenworth and celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday in style. We have some great events planned on this day. Don’t be caught without your big hat!

Mt. Vernon

March 4: Seafood TGIF: Every first Friday we have our Seafood TGIF featuring the best pan-fried oysters in the country, plus awesome clam chowder, shrimp cocktail, steamed clams and crab cakes. We do offer a large dinner Chicken Caesar salad for those that don’t enjoy seafood. Low prices. R.S.V.P. (360) 724-4811.

March 5: Mardi Gras Celebration: Colorful mask contest, theme dinner and music to celebrate Mardi Gras. Join us in the Family Lodge for a great time. Reservations, please. Call (360) 724-4811.

March 18: St. Patrick’s Day Dinner & Dance: If you’re not Irish you’ll want to be when you join all the festivities celebrating the “wearing of the green”. Plan a special night with dinner and fun. For reservations call (360) 724-4811.

California

CALIFORNIA

Lake Minden

March 4-6: It’s all in the Cards: Come share a new card game and join us for some of our old favorites. We’ll ward off those winter blues with the three Cs – Cards, Coffee and Cookies. Make a St. Patrick’s Day craft or bead a bracelet.

March 11-13: St. Patrick’s Day: Bring something green to our Friday Night Potluck Social and a green prize for Green Bag Bingo.

March 17: Don’t forget to wear green to our Annual St. Patrick’s Day Corned Beef & Cabbage luncheon.

March 18-20: First Day of Spring/Puzzle Trade: Gather your puzzles (no missing pieces, please!) and trade with other puzzling enthusiasts. Don’t forget Friday Night Potluck Social and Brown Bag Bingo.

March 25-27: Book Swapathon: Pack up your unwanted, in good condition, books and trade with other bookworms. Do a spring craft or bead project. Don’t forget Candy Bar Bingo on Saturday and the Ice Cream Social. Walk off those extra calories around the lake.

March 5-6
131st Annual Bok Kai Festival and Parade
Considered as one of the oldest, and continuous running, parades in California, event features a 150-foot Chinese Dragon, plus a variety of floats and cultural performances and celebrates the beginning of spring. Parade starts at 6th and D streets and winds its way down D Street, across First Street and up C Street. For more information visit www.bokkaifestival.com.

Palm Springs

March 9-13: Pool Tournaments.

March 17: St. Patrick’s Day Sock Hop.

March 17-19: Pickleball Tournaments.

March 26: Musical Concert featuring Freddie and Sheila Pelletier.

March 10-13
La Quinta Art Festival
Exhibiting works by 230 contemporary artists, this event also features live music, food and wine. Held at the La Quinta Civic Center Campus, 78495 Calle Tampico, just 5 miles from the preserve. Event hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For more information call (760) 564-1244.

March 24-27
Palm Springs Westfest and Frank Bogert Memorial PRCA Rodeo
Presented by the Spa Resort Casino, this event is a fun and exciting combination of Western lifestyle, music, sports, arts and culture that takes place in the heart of Palm Springs. For more information call (800) 664-5617. Event hours are 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Pio Pico

Saturdays in March: Saturday Marketplace, Coffee Socials, Craft Classes, Card Games, Wii Bowling Fun, Candy Bingo, and Wood Crafts with Ralph. Plus, daily coffee socials, video exercise, card games, and 8-ball tourneys. Every month we feature Border Patrol talks and SkyMed seminars.

March 13: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day early with shamrock crafts and candy bingo.

March 19: Back by popular demand – Highway 91 makes a return engagement to Pio Pico. Come dance the night away.

Rancho Oso

Throughout March, enjoy country breakfasts at the Stone Lodge Friday through Sundays, as well as Friday Spaghetti Dinners and BBQ Dinners on Saturday (children’s meals are also available). Our Dude Ranch offers trail rides for ages 8 and over and hand-led rides for ages 7 and under. Weekly demonstrations include horseshoeing, bucking bull training, and stock dogs working cattle and sheep. Other popular activities include hay wagon rides, wine tasting events, candy bar bingo and a Golden Horseshoe Hunt. Pool is open (and heated) beginning mid-March and our spa is open all year.

March 11-13
International Orchid Show
The longest running, and one of the most prestigious, orchid shows in the United States, the event draws top local, regional and international growers for a three day extravaganza of lush garden displays and floral arrangements. Held at the Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara, just 15 miles from the preserve. For more information call (805) 403-1533.

March 18-20
19th Annual Taste of Solvang
Since 1993, the Taste of Solvang has featured cuisine, locally grown foods, wines and live entertainment to celebrate the rich cultural and culinary heritage of the area. A Weekend Passport includes a logo tote bag and souvenir wine glass for just $70. Individual tickets are also available. Located in the Village of Solvang, just 22 miles from the preserve. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. For information call (805) 688-6144.

Texas

TEXAS

Bay Landing

March 11-13: St. Patrick’s Day: May the Luck of the Irish be with you! See how our green eggs and ham and green pancakes suit you. Green “Jell-o Sucking” is always a big hit here at Bay Landing so pucker up. Don’t forget our famous hunt for the “Pot of Gold” hidden in the preserve for a lucky person to find. Plus, our annual pot of Irish stew will be served for lunch. Come enjoy!

March 18-20: Rodeo Play Days: It’s time to saddle up for the Bay Landing activities. Step on up and pick out your own cow chips for the throw! Be ready for the root beer chuggin’ and join in our “Little Buck-a-roo Buck-out”. There will be good vittles from our chuck wagon (Leslie’s Country Kitchen).

Colorado River

March 24-27
Texas Historical Shootist Society Annual Event
Old West re-creation event dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Cowboy Action Shooting. All participants wear 19th century period western attire and use authentic firearms. Rules and procedures are in place to insure safety of participants and onlookers. Event is held in Gunsmoke, less than a mile from the preserve. For more information call the preserve at (979) 732-8229.

Lake Conroe

March 5: Rodeo Weekend/March Birthdays: Yeehaw! Let’s rodeo! Bring your boots and best vest this weekend for a rip-roarin’ good time. We’ll have a best-dressed dude and dudette contest as well as a roping contest. In the evening, we’ll do some boot scootin’ to your favorite Western music.

March 12: St. Patrick’s Day Weekend: Let’s celebrate our Irish roots and make some leprechaun crafts at the AC, plus we’ll have a scavenger hunt for the kiddies. Will you be the one to find the pot ‘o gold?

March 19: Trail Dust Weekend: Let’s bring the rodeo fun to a close with a rootin’ tootin’ Best Beans contest (sign up in the AC if you’re interested in judging.) We’ll play horseshoes and washers and find the needle in the haystack.

March 1-20
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
With the help of more than 24,000 volunteers, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the world’s largest livestock show, richest regular-season PRCA rodeo and one of the world’s most significant concert venues. This year will feature Brad Paisley, Trace Adkins, Sugarland, Martina McBride and the Zac Brown Band. For more information visit www.rodeohouston.com.

Lake Tawakoni

March 12: Annual Fish Fry, 5:30 p.m. March 19: Spring Break Weekend. March 26: Game Weekend.

Southeast

NORTH CAROLINA

March 5
23rd Annual Shamrock Run
5K Run or Walk - $25 Entry fee includes t-shirt, door prizes. Register by calling (336) 473-5730 or visit www.active.com.