Starting today, Thursday, March 11, through Sunday, March 14 there are going to be lots of sporting and holiday related events drawing large green-clad crowds – and traffic – around Queen Anne and downtown. When traveling outside the neighborhood this weekend, keep on the lookout for the following events:

• Thursday, March 11, 6 to 8:00 p.m. – Seattle Sounders versus Portland Timbers, Qwest Field: 15,000 are expected to attend; congestion expected to delay car traffic and buses.
• Friday, March 12, 7 to 7:30 p.m. – 2010 Laying of the Green Stripe: 70 participants will be escorted by the Seattle Police as they mark the St. Patrick’s Day Parade route (along 4th Ave from Jefferson St to Pike St) with biodegradable green paint.
• Saturday, March 13, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. – St. Patrick’s Day Parade: 5,000 expected to attend. Parade route: from 4th Ave and James Street; heads north on 4th to Pine St. and Westlake Park. (The parade staging area on 4th Ave between S Washington and James streets, and on Dilling Way between 4th Ave and Yesler Way will be closed from 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.)
• Sunday, March 14, Staging: 7 a.m., Event: 8:30 to 11 a.m. – Henry Weinhard’s St. Patrick’s Day Dash: 14,600 participants expected. Staging on Mercer St between 1st Ave N and 4th Ave N; race starts in four waves at 8:30 a.m., 8:40 a.m., 8:50 a.m., and 9:00 a.m.  Dash route: beings at 3rd Ave N and Mercer St; moves east on Mercer to 8th Ave; south on 8th to Republican St; west on Republican to Aurora Ave N; north on Aurora to the south end of the Aurora Bridge; makes a u-turn, then goes south on Aurora to the Broad Street off-ramp; west on the off-ramp to Harrison Street; west on Harrison to the finish line on Fifth Avenue N. St. Leprechaun Kid’s Run: 8:10 a.m. Run route: starts at 3rd Ave N and Mercer; heads east on Mercer to 5th Ave N; south on 5th to Republican St; west on Republican to 4th Ave N; north on 4th to Mercer St; west on Mercer to finish at 3rd Ave N.

The Alaskan Way Viaduct and Aurora Ave between the Western Ave off-ramp and N. 39th will be closed on Sunday for the Dash beginning at 7:30 a.m. All streets are expected to be reopened by 11:00 a.m.