St. Patrick's Day bashes, mustache contest highlight our weekend best bets

RALEIGH, N.C. — This is St. Patrick's Day weekend - a great time in the Triangle. Here is a rundown of St. Paddy's Day events and a few non-holiday related events happening this weekend!

Raleigh will celebrate St. Patrick's Day on Saturday with a parade and celebration in Moore Square downtown. The parade starts at noon. The Moore Square party will include children's activities and games, food vendors, live music and more! Best of all, it is free! 

Just because Hibernian in Glenwood South isn't open, doesn't mean there isn't going to be a huge party there for St. Patrick's Day. On Saturday, head to North Street near Hibernian for a block party on Saturday featuring live music, food trucks and more. The party starts at 11 a.m. 

In Durham, head over to CCB Plaza Head downtown on Sunday for a St. Patrick’s Day Carnival and video shoot featuring live music, fire breathers, hula hoopers and acrobats. There will be free pizza from Lilly’s and free beer from Triangle Brewing Company. The Real Laww, a local hip hop artist, will be using the event to shoot a music video for the song “Ninjas in DURM.” The party runs from 2-6 p.m.

Bands, beer and beard and mustache contests are just some of the stuff happening at Bull McCabe's Irish Pub in Durham on Saturday. They are hosting a charity event that also includes female arm wrestling. Prizes will be from local breweries and restaurants. The cover is $5 and $15 if you are entering the beard or mustache contests. Proceeds benefit arts programs for under-privileged women and girls. Mustache and beard categories include: natural, groomed, styled, Best Amish, Best Ginger, Best Ladystache, Most Likely To Tie A Woman To The Railroad Tracks, and more!

Want to sing the National Anthem at a Durham Bulls game? You might have your chance. The Durham Bulls are holding National Anthem singer auditions at the Streets at Southpoint mall on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. I will be a special guest judge. Auditions are first come, first served.

And finally, get ready to see some monster trucks! These giant 10,000 pound machines will be soaring over obstacles and sometimes crashing through them at PNC Arena this weekend for Monster Jam. Shows are Friday and Saturday. Tickets start at $25.

Check out our picks for fun throughout the week on our Best Bets calendar.