Everybody's Irish at St. Charles parade

If the popularity trend surrounding St. Charles' St. Patrick's Day parade continues, the number of attendees may soon match the population of the city.

Last year's parade attracted about 18,500 attendees, nearly double the 2014 crowd. And this year's celebration will be bigger and better than last year, organizers said.

There are more than 90 entries for Saturday's parade, chief parade marshal Steve Martin said. It's about a 10 percent increase from last year. The new additions aren't just more local people driving down the street.

There will nine musical acts spaced at about every 10th entry. Bands from St. Charles North and East high schools will join traditional bagpipes groups and the South Shore Drill Team.

"If you've never seen the drill team, they will have wooden rifles that they spin way up into the air while marching and dancing in uniform," Martin said. "They are trailed by these massive speakers, basically the ultimate boom box. It's a loud, heavy beat. And it's very impressive. That's why they'll be the grand finale."

Martin said the parade will have all the traditional favorites, including leprechauns, horses, an 80-foot float by the Knights of Columbus and an appearance by Miss Illinois. One unique and, perhaps, mouthwatering entry will feature a large, mobile grill that will be cooking steak sandwiches as it heads down Main Street.

"They tell me it's going to smell fantastic," Martin said.

The grand marshal entry will feature a float with only authentic Irish-Americans (as verified by Shay Clarke from the recently reopened McNally's Traditional Irish Pub in the city's downtown).

A dog costume event and a dance competition at the Arcada Theatre will act as warm-ups to the festivities before the parade. The parade itself begins at 2 p.m. and runs down Main Street between Sixth Street and Fourth Avenue.

For more information visit downtownstcharles.org/stpats.