THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO FROM JENNIFER – LET THE CELEBRATIONS BEGIN
THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO FROM JENNIFER – LET THE CELEBRATIONS BEGIN
What to do what to do?
There will be family fun for everyone to be had. Choosing which to do will be your biggest challenge Why not do both!
You can start the day with the Spring Egg-Stravanganza.
5th Annual Spring Egg-Stravaganza
Thousands of adults and children are expected to turn out at the 5th Annual Spring Egg-Stravaganza. This is the largest free candy grab in Chicago at Soldier Field Stadium 1410 S. Museum Campus Dr. Saturday March 15. A ticketed brunch will be held at the Cadillac Club from 8:30-10 a.m. and an admission-free candy grab on the field follows from 10 a.m. – noon.
Children ages 10 years and younger are welcome to participate in this event hosted by Dominick’s Food Stores. The festivities will be aired on the stadium’s two super-sized 23′ x 82′ video screens for parents to cheer from the sidelines.
Children will have the opportunity to brunch with the bunny and take photos at Soldier Field’s Cadillac Club from 8:30 – 10 a.m. before the candy grab. Admission to the brunch is $15 for adults $10 for children under age 10 and is free for children under age 3 with a paying adult. Reservations are mandatory for brunch and must be made by Friday March 14 by calling 312-235-7669.
St. Patrick’s Day is considered a big holiday in Chicago. The parade is the largest in the city and is lead our Mayor Richard M. Daley and is filled with thousands of marchers colorful floats marching bands bagpipers and cordial politicians. Thousands of people will be lined up along Columbus Drive on Saturday. No matter your heritage everyone at the parade is Irish.
Dyeing of the River will take place at 10:45 a.m. With bagpipers playing on the shore 2 boats will spread the secret formula that turns the river between Michigan and Columbus into a spectacular shade of green.
Festivities start with the dyeing of the Chicago River green at 10:45 am a tradition that started in 1962 which can be best viewed from the upper level bridges at Michigan Ave or Columbus Drive. Learn about dyeing the river here. Dubbed the "Irish miracle" the dye used actually goes in the river orange and as some say gets a leprechaun’s help to then turn into its true shade of Kelly green.
The parade kicks off from Balbo Ave. and Columbus Dr. in Grant Park at 12:00 noon. It heads north on Columbus to Monroe. The viewing stand is located in front of Buckingham Fountain at Congress Drive.
If you drive there is parking in the underground Grant Park garage the Hilton at Balbo and Michigan or other nearby lots. They fill up fast so get there early. Your best bet is to take public transportation. Exit at any of the Blue or Red Line stops in the loop and walk east a few blocks to Columbus.
Whatever it is you choose you will most certainly enjoy this weekend.
JENNIFER GARRITY & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO
