St. Patrick's Day parades to be held this weekend in St. Charles, East Dundee
Two Fox Valley communities will kick off the area's St. Patrick's Day festivities this weekend with parades that traditionally draw thousands of spectators.
The Dundee-area Thom McNamee Memorial St. Patrick's Day Parade is scheduled to begin at 11:15 a.m. Saturday, March 9, outside Rosie O'Hare's Public House on Water Street in East Dundee. The parade route continues along Barrington Road to River Street, ending at Jackson Street.
Later that afternoon, the Downtown St. Charles Partnership will host its annual St. Patrick's Parade along Main Street starting at 2 p.m. The event steps off at Main and Sixth streets and ends at Fourth Avenue.
The St. Charles parade features dozens of entries, including colorful floats, award-winning marching and Celtic bands, and community organizations. Local restaurateur Shay Clarke of McNally's Irish Pub was named the parade's Grand Marshal because of his longtime commitment to volunteering and emceeing the event, according to the Downtown Partnership.
"This parade is always done fabulously well, and I love being a part of it, so being asked to be the Grand Marshal is truly an honor," Clarke said in a statement. "I can't wait to celebrate with everyone."
Other St. Patrick's Day activities in downtown St. Charles include a free dance show at the Arcada Theatre at 10 a.m., and cookies, crafts and face painting at the St. Charles History Museum starting at 11:30 a.m., according to the event's Facebook page.
A few towns to the north, the Thom McNamee parade is one of several themed activities held Saturday in the Dundee area. A Kilted 5K race along the Fox River Trail kicks off at 8 a.m. at Lifeline Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. At the grandstand, a pet parade will begin at 10 a.m., and the judging for a corned beef competition starts at 10:40 a.m., according to the event's website.
The event will honor former schoolteacher and longtime community member DeLoris Doederlein, who was recently named the Tim and Thom McNamee Citizen of the Year and the parade's 2019 Grand Marshal.
Emmett's Tavern and Brewing Company also is participating in the celebration by hosting adult Big Wheel races at 1 p.m. at West Dundee's Grafelman Park.
Registration fees collected from the parade and 5K will go toward the FISH Food Pantry in Carpentersville and the Friends of the Fox River organization, as will the money made in a shamrock sale competition between local businesses.
The annual fireworks display will be held the following weekend at 8 p.m. March 16 over the Fox River, event organizers say. The Dundee Scottish Bagpipes will be playing on either end of the bridge, and several Dundee-area restaurants will have Irish-themed specials and entertainment. For more information, visit dundeestpats.com.