advertisement

Dundee's St. Patrick's Day events bring neighbors out

St. Patrick's Day in Dundee Township has become more than a party. It has become a rite of spring when, no matter what the weather is, neighbors come out of their houses and shake off winter.

They look to the sky and watch Roman candles explode with red, green and blue blasts. They look to the streets and see leprechauns, Irish princesses and marching bands walk by, passing out good fortune to thousands of onlookers.

The neighbors also see big kids - adults - riding big-wheeled tricycles designed for kids.

And, most importantly, they see green, not the white of snow, but the green of spring.

On Friday, March 11, five days before the official St. Patrick's Day, the ritual will be lighted along with fireworks over the Fox River. The sky will glow with those colors and begin the annual festival.

"This has become a big thing," said Eileen McNamee, whose brother Thom started the celebration.

It started with only a parade. Now, Dundee's St. Pat's Day celebration has fireworks, a 5K foot race, a Big Wheel race, and a house decorating contest. The Thom McNamee Memorial St. Patrick's Day Parade is the centerpiece of the festivities. It starts at Rosie O'Hare's Public House along Water Street to Bandito Barney's Beach Club, along North River Street.

Both restaurants are in East Dundee.

Hundreds of people watch the fireworks, and even more will watch the 85 units that will march in the parade.

"By this time of year, people are so ready to get out of their houses," McNamee said. "This hasn't been a bad winter, but they are tired of it just the same. The parade will give a chance to see their neighbors again."

A pet parade will be held an hour before the 11 a.m. Thom McNamee Memorial St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 12. Owners will be applauded for the most decorated pets.

In the main parade, Irish spirit will be applauded and shown proudly, just as Thom McNamee, the owner of both restaurants, wanted before he died in 2009.

It will be worn by members of marching bands, civic groups, politicians and anyone else who walks the parade route.

"My brother started the parade that marks the community. We're 100 percent Irish," McNamee said.

Even before the parades begin, local residents will have an opportunity to show their pride in the Dublindee Kilted 5K race and walk at 8:30 a.m. Registration is $35 for runners and walkers who sign up before March 1. After that date, registration will be $40.

"The first 200 people who register will receive a kilt and a pint glass," she said. "All the proceeds will be donated to the FISH Food Pantry and Friends of the Fox, a local environmental group.

This year, an Irish Rebel Door Competition will be held. Contestants are invited to paint their homes' front doors bright colors. It is a tradition in Ireland to show disrespect against the death of Queen Victoria, the English monarch who ruled over Ireland.

Complete details for the race, the parades, the fireworks display and the contest are available at www.dundeestpats.com.

After the parade, residents will have another reason to stay out of their homes: the traditional Big Wheel Race, sponsored by Emmett's Brewing Co. in West Dundee.

"We have from 2,000 to 3,000 people watch the races," said Andy Burns, the restaurant's owner. "We start at the top of the hill behind the restaurant and let gravity take over."

Racers will compete in three categories: stock, which is the plastic traditional Big Wheel toy; modified, a decorated, plastic toy; and outlaw, a metal Big Wheel.

The 100 registrants will compete in five to a race. The winners of each race will compete against other winners. The winner will receive bragging rights and a trophy.

Registration and race information are available at emmettsbrewingco.com.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.