A Family-Friendly St. Patrick’s Day? Portland’s Wonderlove Has Four Days Of Festivities

Saint Patrick’s Day is around the corner, and there are many celebrations to be held. Our grocery stores are filled with corned beef and cabbage on sale, and four-leaf clover decorations are starting to pop up around town. It’s a fun, albeit brief celebration that simultaneously serves as a seasonal marker that Spring is upon us. 

I personally enjoy seeing people wear their best bright green shirts, and I certainly adore those who are out in full force, dressing like a leprechaun. Since the 20th century, this holiday has emerged as a full-on, worldwide cultural event where people from around the globe celebrate a tiny nation on the outskirts of Western Europe. 

The lore of pots of gold at the end of a rainbow and wearing green for good luck makes it an event that everyone can enjoy. While many Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations are geared towards the 21-and-over crowd, there are reputable, incredibly entertaining events designed with the whole family in mind. 

Wonderlove is a food cart pod in Portland that hosts memorable events regularly—located at 262 SE Main Street. Portland, Oregon 97214; they are open every day of the week. One of their food cart selections is Honeycuspe, which serves up goods such as their Garden of Eros, a waffle topped with smashed avocados, eggs, microgreens, and more. Another food cart pod at Wonderlove is the Gyro Bistro Grill with selections like their Beef Ariabi served with their delicious Toum Sauce. 

For adults, there is a full-service bar with happy hour Monday through Friday from 3:00pm to 6:30pm and all day Sunday. They even have a rather extensive mocktail bar list for adults who want more than just tea or soda. 

In addition to being a great, laid-back space to hang out with the family, they do a ton of themed events. One of their best is their Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations, which last several days. 

On Monday, March 16^th, Wonderlove is hosting an all-ages St. Paddy’s Day-themed trivia. It will be totally free to play, and fun prizes will be offered. As someone who has gone out for trivia nights a few times, I’d love to do something like this in a public space with the kids. And who knows, maybe your little one will surprise you with knowing a random, obscure fact that leads your family to a victory. 

From Saturday, March 14^th through Tuesday, March 17^th, Wonderlove is throwing their multi-day St. Paddy’s celebration. This family-friendly event will have a wide variety of vendors, live music, and food carts serving up some tasty meals. Festivities begin at 1:00pm on Saturday, and the live music goes from 5:00pm to 7:00pm each day. 

You can also RSVP at the Reserve a Spot section on their event website. It does not cost anything, but it automatically enters you in for a chance to win various prizes. 

Wonderlove will also have games throughout its space for anyone wanting to play. Events like this are perfect for bringing the family because not only is there a lot to see and do, but there is no time commitment either. Show up, listen to some authentic Celtic music, grab a bite, and head back home if you want. Or stick around for some games, a dessert, and see the vendors. Low-stakes outings like this are great for parents wanting to check out public celebrations with their kids. 

On the actual day of Saint Patrick’s Day, Tuesday, March 17^th, all ages are still welcome from 6:00pm to 10:00pm, but from 10:00pm to Midnight it is reserved for adults 21 and over. With four days to choose from, Saturday through Tuesday, you can pick your day for whichever works best for your family. Everyone is sure to enjoy it. 

Growing up, I was always told that I was mostly of Irish heritage. There was no reason to think otherwise, as I had older generations in my family with Irish names, and the working-class neighborhood my parents grew up in was mostly Irish. Cultural moments, like the 1997 film, Good Will Hunting, acted more like an aspiring documentary to them than a Hollywood movie. 

It wasn’t until I took a DNA test several years ago that I found out I have little Irish blood. Instead, my genetic background is more Welsh than anything, with the Irish region coming in a far second. My parents are resistant to believing the data, and honestly, that’s okay. Culture runs deep, especially on a multi-generational level. Regardless, I am grateful for family-friendly events like the ones at Wonderlove that celebrate St. Paddy’s Day because, at least on March 17^th, we all get to be Irish for the day.