Get Out: Weekend Planner for March 11-13

Get the luck of the Irish on your side this weekend and partake in some St. Patrick's Day-themed activities – or not – because there are plenty of other happenings around the Carmichael area.

It also being Second Saturday, there are will be many new showings at the downtown and midtown art galleries and plenty of people watching to be had. As usual, there will be a huge pub crawl, the traditional St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival, and even a Sunday antique fair.

And for those who want to lay a bit lower, but still get out and be entertained, the Pine Box Boys will be playing at The Distillery and House of Floyd will be at the Crest Theater Saturday night. Choose wisely and drive carefully, if at all.

1. St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival

Where/When: Old Sacramento State Historic Park, 1002 2nd Street, Saturday, Noon – 6 p.m., Parade at 1 p.m.

Why: Help bring the luck of the Irish to Old Sacramento this Saturday and watch the 15th annual St. Patrick's Day parade. Regardless of the weather, there will be Irish dancers, bagpipers, school bands, military regiments, police and fire representatives, costumed marchers and more. An all-ages, family-oriented event, last year's parade saw about 20,000 spectators, according to the Old Sacramento Business Association, which helps sponsor the event.

Pricing: Free, but parking isn't.

2. Sacramento Antique Faire

Where/When: 2400 21st Street, between W and X Streets, Sacramento, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Why: This outdoor antique and collectable marketplace takes place in Midtown on the second Sunday of every month. Hundreds of antique dealers from California come to peddle their furniture, textiles, architectural pieces, jewelry, cultural pieces, china and glassware, garden accessories, rugs, art and other collectables. And with a 6:30 a.m. kick-off time, it might be worth it to wake up early, beat the crowds and find that one-of-a-kind antique item you never knew you needed. Food and coffee are also available.

Pricing:

General admission: $3

Children up to 16: Free

Parking is also free on Sundays

3. House of Floyd: Pink Floyd Tribute Band

 Where/When: Crest Theater, 1013 K Street, Saturday, 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.)

 Why: No one's too cool for a Pink Floyd tribute band – a night of music, lights, lasers and video all in a darkened, hazy room. House of Floyd has gained a strong following for attracting both die-hard fans of the early Floyd sounds and those who caught on after their appeal spread mainstream. “House of Floyd affords the opportunity for those who never saw Pink Floyd to 'get' what made those shows so extraordinary,” according to the House of Floyd Web site.

Pricing: $38

4. Pine Box Boys

Where/When: The Distillery, 2109 L Street, Saturday, 10 p.m.

Why: A San Francisco-based “horrorbilly/alternative bluegrass” band, the Pine Box Boys will be playing with Colonel Jimmy & the Blackfish and The Coffin Hunters. This is the last chance to catch the Pine Box Boys before they head abroad for their European tour, and there will be $2 drafts all night. If you've seen them before, you needn't any cajoling, and if you haven't, get ready for the most hilarious lyrics, stomping beats and raw energy you've heard in a while.

Pricing: $8

5. St. Patrick's Day Pub Crawl

Where/When: Starting at River City Saloon (916 2nd Street in Old Sacramento) and ending at Shenanigans, Saturday, 2 p.m. - 1:30 a.m. Eighteen bars will be visited in between.

Why: With plans to hit 20 Sacramento bars, what better way to get in the Irish spirit than drinking, literally, almost all day? Organized by the 5hundy Social Club, the pub crawl is quite possibly the largest in Sacramento as far as attendance and bars involved. Join the merriment and fun, social crowd for the 6th Annual St. Patrick's Day Pub Crawl.

Pricing: Cost of food, drinks and cab because driving after this just isn't a great idea. Please bring cash (credit cards take longer) and tip your bartenders. And remember to find transportation to and from the crawl, not involving your own vehicle if you've imbibed.