SAINTS AND SUDS: Just when your liver has shrunk back to normal, it's time once again for that annual wearin' o' the green known as St. Paddy's Day. But the Saint Patrick's Educational Society knows there's far more to their fabled homeland than merely tipping pints, and in that spirit they're sponsoring one charming downtown parade on Saturday, March 15. Tucson is chock-full of folks from the island, and the parade displays their heritage in sparkling fashion. This year's theme is Celebrating Immigrant Contribution to America, with the Tucson Ecumenical Council for Legal Assistance Fund as the prime beneficiary. The 1997 grand marshals are Rev. John Fife of the South Side Presbyterian Church, and Louise O'Toole Hennessy, touted as "Tucson's most recent immigrant from Ireland." Aside from the parade's visual splendor, plenty of events are planned for the wee laddies and lassies, including games and rides hosted by the Tucson Children's Museum. Parade begins at 10 a.m., traveling north from 17th Street and Stone Avenue to Broadway, east to Sixth Avenue and south to Armory Park, where the Irish Music Festival then gets underway. For more information on this free event, call 620-6353. FIRSTHAND: Thomas Hart Benton wasn't known for conjuring up imaginary scenes while perched on his creative derriere. Instead, he gained his ranking among this country's most notable artists for actually tromping though the American landscape, visiting the ramshackle farms, weathered hillbillies, mines and steel mills that he later immortalized as an outspoken member of the "Regionalist" movement. And he was prolific: More than 1,900 drawings remained in his Kansas City studio when he died at age 86. The Tucson Museum of Art now taps into that rich legacy with an exhibit titled Lasting Impression: Drawings by Thomas Hart Benton. Show runs through March 23 at the TMA, 140 N. Main Ave. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. For information, call 624-2333. PALETTE PARTY: Fine art, good tunes, tasty chow and a small army of creative types share the spotlight at ArtFest '97, on Saturday and Sunday, March 15 and 16. More than 150 artisans and craft folk from across the land converge on Rillito Park to show their wares, with unique pieces that include paintings, sculptures, ceramic, fiber, jewelry, and maybe even a lovely lawn ornament or two. And rugrats can join the impressionistic action in the "Mini Monet" area, where baby berets are optional. Event runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day in Rillito Park, at the corner of River Road and First Avenue. Admission is $2, or $1 with a Tucson Weekly ArtFest '97 ad. For information, call (602) 968-5353.

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