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St. Patrick’s Day weekend events

The official holiday is on Monday but St. Patrick's Day celebrations begin early this year in Ottawa.

Runners are encouraged to wear their best Irish costume during the St. Patrick's Day Run for CHEO. The children's hospital fundraiser run begins at 9 a.m. at Immaculata High School on Main Street. The 10km run along Colonel By Drive begins at Pretoria Bridge and the route goes to Heron Bridge and back. The are also 5km and 1km options on portions of the same route.

The St. Patrick’s Day parade kicks off at 11 a.m. in front of City Hall on Laurier Avenue. The parade will travel west, turn right on Bank Street, left on Wellington Street and end at the Portage Bridge. It is expected to end at 1 p.m. Ottawa Food Bank volunteers will be collecting cash donations and non-perishable groceries along the route.

The City of Ottawa has issued a notice of road closures. The westbound lanes on Laurier Avenue will between Nicholas Street and Elgin Street will be shut down beginning at 7:30 a.m. Roads will reopen along the route as the parade passes.

St. Brigid's Centre for the Arts on Cumberland and St. Patrick Sts. will host a post-parade party featuring Irish music and dance. The party, which includes food and drink, runs from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for teens and free for children.

Saint Patrick's Basilica is hosting a mass at 12 p.m. followed by a reception in the Scavi.

The National Irish Canadian Cultural Centre is hosting a luncheon with music, song and dance from 12 p.m. until 3 p.m. It's located at St. Brigid's Centre for the Arts on Cumberland and St. Patrick Sts. Advance tickets only for $45. If it's beer you seek, check out one of 15 pubs in the ByWard Market.

D'Arcy McGee's pub on Sparks Street has issued a video invitation for live music and drinks.