THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – WE’RE GOING GREEN!
As you may or may not know, Chicago is home to quite the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. And, when it falls on a Saturday (like this weekend!) look out! We’re going green as we party it up here in Chicago!!
Kicking off the St. Patrick’s Day festivities are Chicago’s River Dyeing and St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The Chicago Journeymen Plumbers will once again turn the Chicago River green between Columbus and Wacker Drives at 9:00 a.m. However, the coloring only lasts for about five hours so you might want to be there when it happens. Afterwards, the parade steps off at noon in Grant Park at Columbus Dr. and Balbo Ave. Once again, it will be packed with all things Irish from colorful floats waving green, white, & orange flags, to marching bands and bagpipers, to troops of Irish step dancers, and anything green! The parade lasts for about three hours, rain or shine!!
Perhaps the St. Paddy’s Run and Walk is more your style for celebrating all things Irish. The 17th annual event takes place in Lincoln Park (2410 N. Cannon Dr.) in the Lincoln Park neighborhood Saturday at 9:30 a.m. with a 5K and 8K Run/Walk. Be sure to don your favorite green attire or costume as awards for the “Best Dressed” will be given out! Plus, all participants will receive a commemorative event shirt and are invited to the post-run/walk party at Select Cut Steakhouse (2808 N. Halsted St.)!! So, grab your friends and help kick off the spring running season at the city’s oldest St. Patrick’s Day sprint!!!
Of course, St. Patrick’s Day wouldn’t be the same without its many famous bar crawls such as:
The Chicago Shamrock Crawl in Wrigleyville takes place Saturday (8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.) at many of Wrigleyville’s hottest bar, including Casey Moran’s, Deuce’s, Full Shilling, John Barleycorn, Moe’s Cantina, Old Crow, Roadhouse 66, Brickhouse and more! (Note – bars subject to change). So, come decked out in green and celebrate the right way with other fun-loving people, who are all Irish for the day! Your ticket includes admission, a T-shirt, a breakfast buffet, a gift card to use on the crawl, giveaways and more!!
The St. Patrick’s Day Division Street Bar Crawl takes place Saturday at 3:00 p.m. on Division Street bordering the neighborhoods of Wicker Park and Ukrainian Village. Wear your favorite St. Paddy’s shirt, pants, ties, hats or anything green and join the city as they party it up! Your ticket includes entry to one neighborhood bar crawl, an invitation to The Five Saints Crawl after-party along with one drink ticket, drink specials at participating bars, fun games and prizes, and a “Most Sober” and “Most Spirited Irishman or Woman” contest!!
Here’s a guide to the remaining Chicago’s St. Paddy’s Day Crawls & Parties!
For those of you who choose a quieter way of celebrating green, the Chicago Flower & Garden Show takes place Saturday and Sunday (10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.) at Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.) in the Streeterville neighborhood. This year’s theme is “FLOWERTALES: Every Garden Has a Story to Tell.” This year’s show will feature new life-sized gardens and vignettes showcasing roses, tulips, edibles, small spaces, water features, and urban design. It also includes daily presentations, celebrity chef demonstrations, classes, the popular Kids Activity Garden, workshops, seminars, and much more! This is where green lovers go to discover ideas while having fun!!
How Green Will You Be This Weekend?
