Are you Irish, me lads and me lassies? Well, the saying goes everyone is a little Irish on St. Patrick’s Day (March 17). More than 34 million Americans are of Irish descent. That’s almost nine times the population of Ireland! The Spring Vernal Equinox brings days and nights in equal proportions just three days following St. Paddy’s Day.

From the West’s biggest Irish parade to shamrock and leprechaun symbols, the Valley becomes the Emerald Isle for a weekend celebrating Irish custom and traditions.

Here are our fairytale and folklore choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to keep you marching toward spring without soothsayers or winter holding you back:

3          Following a week of events beginning March 1, the highly anticipated Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art’s new building in the Golden Triangle opens to the public March 10. Information: 303-832-8576.

3          Catch Amy Dickinson’s speech at Florence Crittenton’s 125th dinner in the Hilton City Center March 8, 5:30 p.m. Information: 720-423-8913.

3          Treat the kids to the Denver Children’s Theatre fairytale production of Sleeping Beauty March 8-May 4 at the JCC. Information: 303-316-6360.

3          If you missed the DYAO Spectacular at Gates the Young Artist Orchestras play again at Boettcher March 12, 2:30 p.m. Information: 303-871-7720

3          Make fitness fun this year at Glendale’s JCC Fitness-Wellness Center newly outfitted with an array of equipment, a small group-training studio, plus renovated locker rooms. Open to everyone. Information: 303-316-6300.

3          Lamb historically is the Easter-Spring meat of choice. Enjoy the classic fresh flavor of spring lamb slowly roasted outside on rotisseries at the Monaco Inn Restaurant April 1, 12-8 p.m. Information: 303-320-1104.

3          Vote for best dish at Great Chefs of the West EXDO Center event March 15, 6 p.m. benefiting the Kidney Foundation. Information: 720-748-9991.

3          Journey to the Hyatt Regency Convention Center for Junior League of Denver’s fundraiser on March 23, 6 p.m. Information: 303-692-0270.

3          Hoop it up for March Madness at National Jewish Health’s Hoops & Hoopla March 31, 3:30-9:30 p.m. Watch both games of the Men’s College Basketball Semifinals in Glendale’s Infinity Park Event Center with wrap-around screens. Attendees enjoy a gourmet buffet, open bar, silent auction plus Basketball Pop-A-Shot and casino-arcade games. A benefit for the Morgride Academy for chronically ill kids. Information: 303-728-6576.

As March Madness teams bid and fans bet on who will play in NCAA’s Big Dance basketball playoffs consider that March 14 is National Pi Day. Pi is a mathematical concept and a number that never ends. Albert Einstein was born March 14, 1879. Perhaps the sequence created Pi Day or maybe it was the bounce of a basketball.

Nearly every day in March warms to over 40 °F. Moreover, the Valley averages three days during the month when the thermometer reaches into the 70s, or higher.

Indoors or out, no one relaxes in March due to wind and taxes. But St. Patrick’s Day is about looking forward to better days. Even if you remember to wear green on March 17, you’ll still get a “pinch” of humor from this Irish thought: What do you get when you cross a four-leaf clover with poison ivy: A rash of St. Paddy’s Day good luck!

— Glen Richardson

The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.

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