Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day 2012 on the Sunshine Coast!

Murphy's Lagh

St. Patrick's Day is almost here! It's time to go green, get jiggy and wish your loved ones good cheer and good luck.  Looking for some holiday fun? We have lots of things for you to do!

St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time -- a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic. 

1. St. Patrick's Day Dinner, Pender Harbour 
What better way to pay tribute to this Irish holiday then by indulging in a fabulous roast beef dinner complete with dessert at the Pender Harbour Legion.  Afterwards, enjoy the sounds of the fabulous fiddlers of Murphys Lagh — Damian, Shamma and Juno winner Moritz Behm.  All for $25 - Doors Open 5:30 - Wear Green - prizes may happen!

2. The Big Indoor Market, Sechelt 
Let the "Luck O the Irish" shine upon you at The Big Indoor Market at the Sechelt Legion.  You'll find a wide variety of wares from local artisans that make it, bake it, create it & grow it!  9:30am to 2pm

3. St. Patrick’s Day Fun – Go Green, Gibsons 
It's a bit o' the Irish.  Where ‘something’ green and bring your own tea cup to the Gibsons Public Library for an afternoon of good cheer.  Sit and sip a nice cup of Irish Tea while the Coast String Fiddlers and Sunshine Coast Arbutus Sounds Chorus serenade you.   1pm to 3pm  

4. McKinney’s Pub, Powell River
The McKinney’s Pub, located in the Rodmay Heritage Hotel, will have more than just green beer on St. Patrick’s Day.  Dress up in your best Irish attire, and head out for loads of fun, little green men and drink specials. 

5. St. Patrick's Night Irish Kitchen Party, Gibsons
If a St. Patty's Day dance party is what you seek, check out Kinsmen Hall in Dougall Park in Gibsons.  Enjoy an evening of Irish fun, jigs, reels and sing-alongs. Doors open at 7 p.m. with entertainment starting at 7:30. Tickets are $12, available from Laedeli in Sunnycrest Mall and Gaia’s Fair Trade, or reserve tickets by calling 604-989-3858.

6. Vegetables for our Climate, Sechelt

For those of you with a green thumb, definitely plan on attending 'Vegetables for our Climate' at the Sparling Pavilion at the Sunshine Coast Bontical Garden. Specialty vegetable grower, Elke Knechtel, will answer your questions and teach you how to select vegetables that thrive in our rainy, temperate climate. So come and hear her suggestions.  Seedlings will be available for sale.

10 Family-Fun Activities | Experience Spring Break on the Sunshine Coast

Iris Griffith Interpretive Centre

Spring Break is fast approaching - do you know what you are going to do with the kids yet?  Why not pack up the family, head for the cottage and explore British Columbia’s beautiful Sunshine Coast.  Located only an hour from Vancouver but a world away from city crowds, the Sunshine Coast is a great place to reconnect and enjoy a vacation with the family.

10 family-friendly activities to do on the Sunshine Coast during Spring Break:

1. Iris Griffith Interpretive Centre
Nature lovers and families with children are well-advised to visit the Iris Griffith Interpretive Centre.  The centre houses a collection of displays and exhibits characterizing human interaction with the natural environment.  It specializes in family friendly activities and guided nature walks.

2. Dakota Ridge 
Snow can still be found up in the mountains where Dakota Ridge Winter Recreation Area is the place to be.  12km of groomed cross country ski trails, 7km of snowshoe trails, and large areas for tobogganing and sledding.  Shuttles and equipment rentals are available.

3. Chapman Creek Fish Hatchery
For an affordable family fun activity, be sure to visit Chapman Creek Fish Hatchery for a guided tour and kids fishing.  The education centre details the life cycle of salmon, and visitors can see the tiny fingerlings ready for release into Chapman Creek.

4. Guided Boat Tour
Get out on the water with a guided boat tour of Sechelt Inlet or Princess Louisa Inlet with Sunshine Coast Tours.  Experience some of the best sightseeing from the calm protected waters of the inlets.  Be sure to bring your camera as seals, bald eagles, great blue herons, and river otters can often be seen!

5. Family Trail Ride
Enjoy a relaxing family trail ride and take in the beautiful natural scenery by horseback. Tanglewood Farms is offering a March Break special of $25 per person including HST.  Call 613.392.8239 to book.

6. Bike Camp
Register your child for a Spring Break Bike Camp. Bike camps provide an excellent opportunity for your children to get together with other kids and practice a variety of mountain biking skills, with a focus on safety and fun!   Click here for more information or to register

7. Aquatic Centre
Why not take the family to the Sechelt Aquatic Centre.  The centre features a shallow leisure pool with a lazy river, separate deep water lap pool, 250 foot waterslide, sauna, hot tub, steam room, fun water features (sprayers, tumbling buckets and water curtain), rope swing and diving board.  If visiting Powell River, be sure to visit the Powell River Rec Complex with a 25 metre swimming pool and squirt water, slides and other fun features in the children's pool.

8. Feeding the Ducks at Sechelt Marsh
A perfect outing is taking the kids to feeds the ducks at the Sechelt Marsh.  Once a beaver pond, the marsh is now a small sanctuary and breeding ground for waterfowl. A pleasant, easy stroll around the marsh will give you a chance to view many species, including buffleheads, redwing blackbirds, Canada geese and friendly mallards.

9. Visit a Museum
Visit the Sunshine Coast Museum and learn about local maritime history, spanning from explorer Captain George Vancouver to the 19th-century Union Steamships. You can also admire a model Coast Salish village, pour over vintage logging equipment, and get your pop culture kicks from exhibits on the hit CBC TV series, The Beachcombers (filmed in Gibsons for 19 years). Housing 9,000-plus documents and photographs, the on-site archives are worth checking out too. In Powell River, visit the Powell River Museum and learn about the history of the area.  Enjoy a guided tour and the children can participate in an exciting treasure hunt.

10. Hike in Cliff Gilker Regional Park 

Hike in Cliff Gilker Regional Park where you will discover a large growth Douglas Fir forest.  The trails will take you alongside Roberts Creek - where you'll criss-cross over the flowing water at various points on rustic wooden bridges.  The highlight of this hike is the waterfall.  With over 7 kms of scenic nature trails, a grassy playing field, children's play area and washroom facilities, this is a favourite spot for families.

No matter how you define your personal perfect getaway, the Sunshine Coast will exceed your expectations. BC’s Sunshine Coast is a stunning 40 minute mini-cruise from West Vancouver’s Horseshoe Bay Terminal or a pleasant sail from Comox on Vancouver Island.  The coastal communities of Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Davis Bay, Sechelt, Halfmoon Bay, Pender Harbour, Egmont, Powell River and Lund welcome you to come and explore.