The Blackstone Valley is home to many diverse cultures, and March is a month we celebrate the food, drink and events of a few of them. From Irish to the French-Canadian, we will share the who, what and where for you all to enjoy. 

 Celebrating Francophone

All month long, The Museum of Work and Culture is celebrating Rhode Island’s and specifically Woonsocket’s rich French-Canadian heritage with a series of Francophone events. From French film to its popular Poutine event,  …  if you have a curiosity for French-Canadian heritage… you will definitely find something of interest. 

Here are just a few of the upcoming events that the Museum of Work and Culture has planned to celebrate Francophone.

If you are a foreign film connoisseur, be sure to check out the Ciné-Québec, Thursday, March 2 for an evening beginning with a a wine and cheese reception in the MoWC gallery followed by exciting new short films from Quebec. The event will conclude with a screening of the feature-length film, Alys Robi: Ma Vie en Cinémascope / Bittersweet Memoris.  More Info. 

If you’re a foodie then you’ll definitely want to partake in this year’s “Poutine Indulgence!” Restaurants across Rhode Island and Massachusetts will compete to see who has the best poutine (a traditional Quebecois dish of French fries smothered in gravy and cheese curds).  You can purchase tickets to sample poutine between March 1 and March 31st all leading up to the Museum’s Salute to Spring, Bonjours Printemps on April 2. Some of the participating restaurants include Ciro’s Tavern, Black and Pomodoro in Woonsocket and Adeline’s Speakeasy (winner the past two years) in Cumberland. Voting is done online. More Info.

To learn more about  Franco-American culture, be sure to sign up for the Virtual Valley Talk: “Visualizing Franco-American Culture Through French-Canadian Folklore.”  Register here. When visiting Rhode Island’s Blackstone Valley, stop by the Museum of Work and Culture to hear the immigrant story through their many interactive exhibits.

Wearing of the Green

Tir Na Gog Irish Dance courtesy Facebook image

All of Rhode Island celebrates St. Patrick’s Day, but the first celebrations kick off right here in RI’s Blackstone Valley in the City of Pawtucket. It begins with the first  trifecta of the Tour De Patrick 5K followed by the 41st Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and party!  Why not grab the train to Pawtucket and celebrate with us this Saturday, March 4th. 

The celebration doesn’t stop there stick around take in a Irish step-dance performance at the East Smithfield Library and learn its history with RI Blackstone Valley’s premiere Irish Step Dance troupe, Tir Na Nog, Saturday, March 4 at 2 pm.

Through out the month of March and up to St. Patrick’s Day, there will be many more ways to partake of our Irish Heritage with live music and arts and crafts and of course beer.  SEE EVENTS

Speaking of beer, Craft Beer Week is happening  March 3rd to 12th. Be sure to check out some of the events at our local breweries. Three of our breweries have partnered together for a Northern RI Beer Crawl! Who doesn’t love a good crawl? Get stamped at Bravo Brewing Company in Pascoag, Ravenous Brewing Company in Cumberland, and Lops Brewing Woonsocket during Rhode Island Craft Beer Week for a chance to win a craft beer gift basket.… what better way to toast this month’s festivities!

For updates on what’s happening in RI’s Blackstone Valley be sure to follow us on social media @tourblackstone and visit our event calendar tourblackstone.com/events.