Naperville’s St. Patrick’s Day off to running start

Anne Marie Hickey always enjoys the day when West Suburban Irish holds its St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Naperville.

The event turns her Jefferson Avenue storefront — The Irish Way — into a gathering place for friends and customers as they prepare to watch the parade.

But this year, everyone at Hickey’s boutique had more than just the parade to watch. Runners and walkers participating in a new 5K passed their store a couple hours earlier on a route using many of the same streets as the parade.

“(The 5K) was a nice addition. Everyone had their spirit on today,” said Hickey’s daughter, Colleen.

Organized by the Naperville Sunrise Rotary, the race drew 2,000 participants and raised about $35,000 for Meals on Wheels of the DuPage Senior Citizens Council.

The event promotes health and having a good time, said Rotary member Deb Newman.

“You might as well start with a nice, healthy run and end with a green beer,” Newman said.

Several 5K participants finished the event, then walked the parade route with their company, a local politician, or another organization. Others ran then staked out a spot to watch the 19th annual parade.

“This just really enhances the whole St. Patrick’s Day celebration in town,” race director and Rotary member Joe Lichter said.

Not everyone, however, thought the race was a welcome addition to the day of Irish-themed fun. Linda Scholle of Naperville said she arrived relatively early for the parade, but had trouble parking and getting to the route because the race was still going on.

“I’m wondering if it (the race) is such a good idea,” Scholle said. “It’s going to be a huge parade. I’d hate to see it not be successful.”

Parade founder and West Suburban Irish member Kevin Dolan said the parade can draw up to 8,000 spectators on a successful day, weather-depending.

“This would be a typical day for our parade,” Dolan said of Saturday’s gray and windy weather.

West Suburban Irish members capitalized on what remained of a winter chill in the air by selling scarves to raise money for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which benefits childhood cancer research. Several volunteers tied dozens of scarves loosely around their arms and legs and danced around trying to entice cold parade patrons to purchase green-patterned, fleece scarves.

“We didn’t think about the dancing until we got here,” said Michelle Cachey, a self-described “scarf dancer.” “It’s windy so everything flows around and looks fantastic.”

Bella Ancona, 9, of Oswego, lacked a fleece scarf but otherwise was completely decked out in green. From a green shirt hidden under her coat to a green necklace and a shamrock headband, she said she was ready to see all the floats, Irish dancers and bagpipers the parade had in store.

“We get to see all the cool decorations, all the green,” Bella said. “We can take pictures and show all our friends.”