9th Annual Irish Festival

When you hear the following, what do you think of?

Molly's Revenge, Darby O'Gill, Sons of Malarky, Stout Pounders...

If images of tall frothy glasses of Guiness and rollicking fiddle music fill your imagination you are on the right track. 

This weekend the 9th Annual Irish Music Festival, the largest on the west coast, is set to commence.  There will be 3 fantastic venues on the Harbor, with 8 stages to enjoy the music, and 25 Irish bands to dance along with.  Starting on Thursday October 25 and continuing through Sunday the 28th, come out and check out the festival events in Ocean Shores and Hoquiam.

Ticket sales are available by cont Galway Bay Irish Pub at 360-289-2300 and the price for the All Venue pass is just $60.  Not to bad for an entire weekend of music and drinks!
(If you choose to go day by  day the schedule of pricing is available below.)

Day                 Galway Bay               Ale House
Thursday       5pm til close-$5         Dinner $25/person
Friday         11am til 5pm-$10         Free
Friday         5pm til close-$15        $5
Saturday       10am til 5pm-$15         $5 all day
Saturday       5pm til close-$20        $5 all day
Sunday         10am til 5pm-$5          Free

ShamRock the Coast!


Those Venues once more for the 9th annual Irish Music Festival for 2012:
Galway Bay Irish Pub - Ocean Shores, Washington
8th Street Ale House - Hoquiam, Washington
Ocean Shores Convention Center - Ocean Shores Washington
Cli here for the schedule of events!

Minors are not allowed at the 8th Street Ale House

Minors are not allowed at Galway Bay after 5pm on Friday, all day on Saturday, and Sunday before 5pm

Minors are allowed at the Ocean Shores convention center all days until 10pm
Bands are scheduled to come from Ireland, Canada, Illinois, Oregon, California, New York, and Washington

Mardi Gras Night in Ocean Shores

When you hear of a Mardi Gras Night you know you are in for a treat and a fun-filled party.  Mardi Gras has a rich history that some say began in the US when the French explorers celebrated the holiday in New Orleans in 1699.  

If you do not own a time traveling machine, and cannot go back to this first Mardi Gras, there is an alternative. 

Saturday night, October 20 at 5:30, travel out to the Ocean Shores Convention Center to celebrate Mardi Gras Night.  Hosted by the Ocean Shores/North Beach Chamber of Commerce, Mardi Gras Night has all the trimmings of a celebration not to be missed. 

Tickets are on sale at the Chamber main office for $35, and all proceeds are going to help support the chamber and the work it does for our beach communities. 

Included in the evening festivities will be a live auction with local radio personality Luceman and weekend travel packages will also be available for bidding.

Enjoy delicious Creole and Cajun food including jalapeno corn bread, blackened salmon, and sweet potato souffle, while you dance with the Ocean Shores Pirates to Zydeco music from Charlie Baer's collection.  At the conclusion of the evening, the Business of the Year award will be bestowed on one of the monthly winners throughout the year.

Summer weekend at our Beaches

Westport is for surfers, it is a place for food lovers and whale watchers and summer fun.  This weekend it is the place to be for art and entertainment.  The 15th annual Westport Art Festival is August 18th-19th and with the weather promising to be in the 80's it should be a beautiful weekend to get a little culture and soak up the rays. Check out the list of vendors and juried art booths here.

If you happen to head to Grayland this weekend you are not going to want to miss the Jet Ski competition sponsored by Wishkah River Distillery.  The Grayland Open starts August 17th with a rider clinic and continuing with competitions throughout the weekend.  You are going to want to stick around for the BBQ, music and free entertainment.

When sipping wine is more your speed, visit Ocean Shores this weekend for

the Grapes, Paints and Prints Festival.  Sipping Serendipity and the Creative Light Gallery are hosting this vintage festival in their parking lot on Saturday, August 18th starting at 1 p.m..  Enjoy the wine and art while breathing in the beach air.

August 4th brings Hot Rods and Wine to Grays Harbor

You could be celebrating Mustard Seed day, a popular August 4th holiday, or commemorating President Barack Obama's Birthday, also Saturday.  Jeff Gordon of Nascar fame will also be celebrating a birthday tomorrow.  August 4th is National Coast Guard day, as it is the day it was founded, a day that it shares with Chocolate Chip day!

You could be doing any of these things tomorrow, however I know that I will be checking out the Heat on the Street in Elma and the Wearable Art and Wine Festival in Ocean Shores.



photo courtesy of Elma chamber of commerce



photo courtesy of Beach Fairy Events



Heat on the Street is in its fourth year and seems to be growing by leaps and bounds each event.  Classic cars for as far as the eye can see, and with the weather promising to be close to 90, the heat will be out and shining off the paint as the cars line up for a shine and show from 9:00 am to 3:00 on August 4th.

With 15 wine vendors participating in the Wine festival at the ocean shores convention center on Saturday there is sure to be a vintage for everyone.  The festival is hosted by Beach Fairy Events, and the Wearable Art fashion show is the highlight of the event.  Walking art that you can showcase as clothing is such a fun and unique way to approach an art show.

However you celebrate August 4th make sure you get out and explore the great events in our wonderful county!

Saturday Shopper: Sipping Serendipity Wine Shoppe in Ocean Shores

Sipping Serendipity Wine Shoppe     

Owned by Debra Haggard, Established 2011           

849 Pt. Brown Ave.

Ocean Shores 

360-289-WINE (9463)

http://www.sippingserendipity.com/

https://www.facebook.com/SippingSerendipity

Friday & Saturday: noon-8pm

Tuesday-Thursday: noon-6pm

Closed Sunday & Monday    

All About the Business: Our focus is on wines of the Pacific Northwest from small producers and boutique wineries. We also carry some of the best of other domestic wines as well as international labels. We pour wine by the glass and by the flight. Coming soon: appetizers and desserts to enjoy with your wine. We have a wonderful selection of wine related gift items, jewelry, and greeting cards as well as gift certificates.

What Makes The Business Unique: You can come in and try any of the several bottles that we have open each day and then purchase your favorite bottles to take with you. If you decide to try a flight which is three pours of wine, then you get to keep your souvenir wine glass which is perfect for your stay at the beach as well as to take home with you after your visit.                   

Advice for First Time Customers: Don't be afraid to try new wines! As a Certified Sommelier I am happy to help you with your wine selection be it just for sipping or for pairing with your dinner. We do carry gift certificates which of course are always the perfect gift!