Weekend options: "Octopus Garden" and St. Paddy's weekend

Minnesota Sea Life is home to a new exhibit of cephalopods. The star of the "Octopus Garden" is K-Love, named after Timberwolves player Kevin Love. The exhibit features five new tanks and will educate guests on species including cuttlefish, nautilus and more. (9:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Fri.; 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Sat.; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sun. Mall of America, Bloomington. $17.63-$23.14. www.visitsealife.com)

It's St. Paddy's weekend and there's fun on both sides of the river. Take a themed tour exploring Irish immigrant history. The event features songs, needlework demonstrations and stories of Irish-Americans in Minnesota. (10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat.; 1-4 p.m. Sun. $6-$9. James J. Hill House, 240 Summit Av., St. Paul. 651-259-3000. www.mnhs.org.) The Minneapolis St. Patrick's Day Association welcomes families to its annual parade. An afterparty called the Blarney Blast will be held at the Normandy Inn & Suites. (6:30 p.m. Sat. Nicollet Mall between 11th and 5th Sts., downtown Mpls. www.mplsstpats.org). The St. Paul parade will include colorful floats, community organizations, music and perhaps even a leprechaun or two. (Noon Sat. On 5th St. in downtown St. Paul. www.stpatsassoc.org.)

Melissa Walker