Get ready for St. Paddy's Day
It's almost time to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in East Dundee.
The annual Thom McNamee Memorial St. Patrick's Day Parade will step off at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 15, at Rosie O'Hare's Pub on Water Street, before marchers head to Bandito Barney's on North River Street. The grandstand will be held at Barrington Avenue and River Street.
The parade will feature bands, step dancers, stilt walkers, horses, calvary, and green footballs. There will also be an Irish Princess contest for Dundee Township girls, age 12 to 16, and food and cash donations for the FISH Food Pantry in Carpentersville will also be accepted during the parade.
The grand marshal will be Larry Harrington, who was awarded the Tim and Thom McNamee Citizen of the Year Award at the Boy Scouts Cub Pack 36 Blue and Gold Dinner.
Bandito Barney's also is sponsoring a fireworks show at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 14 - the day before the parade - on the foot bridge.
For more information, visit www.dundeestpats.com.
New ownership for Carpentersville eatery: Juan Peña and Ray Cortez, the new owners of El Sombrerito Bar & Grill in Carpentersville, invite you to stop by to enjoy good food at a reasonable price.
Peña and Cortez took the business over Jan. 1 after longtime owners Ruben and Kathie Camarena retired. The Camarenas had been in charge of the eatery for 29 years before their retirement.
The restaurant is at 140 N. Western Avenue in Carpentersville. The owners are also planning a grand opening within the next three weeks. For more information, call the eatery at (847) 551-1810.
Tis the season for Lent: The music ministry of First Congregational Church of Dundee will hold the first of three Lenten musical offerings at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 9, at the West Dundee church, 900 S. Eighth St.
The concerts will feature musicians on organ, piano, clarinet, bells, brass and timpani. The program will be followed by a time of fellowship and a chance to meet the recitalists. Admission is free, but donations are accepted to help defray costs.
For information, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210, or visit www.fccdundee.com.
• Lenore T. Adkins covers Community District 300, Algonquin, Carpentersville, the Dundees, Sleepy Hollow, Hampshire and Grafton Township. To reach her, send an email to ladkins@dailyherald.com or call (847) 608-2725.