Neighborhood News – Happy St. Patrick’s Day from the Chicago Loop, River North, West Town, Mayfair, Wicker Park

There’s an old saying here…”Everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day!”🍀 

After two years of Covid-19 isolation, Chicago’s most treasured celebration—St. Patrick’s Day—roars back with celebrations around the city and suburbs throughout the week and weekend. And…celebrating St. Patrick’s Day is only one of the many activities for Chicagoans this weekend! 

On Saturday, March 12, start with the Chicago tradition of dyeing the Chicago River. Beginning at 10am, between State and Columbus Drive, the tradition started 60 years ago. According to BlockClubChicago.com, the beloved and unique tradition began as a suggestion from the local plumbers union. Their environmentally friendly dye formula remains a closely kept secret. Local 130 does the honors for 2022.

After a breakfast or early lunch at one of Chicago’s many Irish restaurants, Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins at 12:15pm, on Columbus Drive between Balbo Drive and Monroe Drive, the Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band leads the procession, as they have since the first official parade in 1956. You’ll also see plenty of colorful floats waving their Irish flags high, troops of Irish step dancers, marching bands, bagpipers, and more during the three-hour celebration. 

Note: Entry to the parade route opens at 10am at Jackson and Ida B. Wells (formerly Congress) Boulevard. Security will be checking all bags and purses.  Coolers. alcohol, open beverages, camelbacks, and personal water bottles are not allowed along the parade route.

After the parade, come north to Chicago’s Mayfair neighborhood for the annual St. Patrick Fest at the Irish-American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox, from 1pm – 11:30pm. One the city’s biggest, family-friendly celebrations, entertainment includes the Academy of Irish Music, the Trinity Irish Dancers, the Shannon Rovers, and more. For tickets, click here.

Old Saint Patrick’s Church, at Adams and Desplaines Streets in the West Loop, survived the Chicago Fire of 1871 and several decades of World’s Largest Block Parties…legendary for the number of relationships and marriages that came out of meeting at the Block Party. In 2022, a new tradition begins. Shamrock’n The Block, a festive day of music, food and fun, and featuring a Pop-Up Irish Pub, begins Saturday, March 12, at noon and goes to 6:30pm.  A heated tent and beer garden features live music, Irish dance, bagpipes, tasty Irish fare, ‘wee one’s’ activities and “much more!” For more information and tickets, click here.

Chicago’s German community comes alive at their monthly ‘Kaffee, Kuchen, und Kino’ (coffee, cakes and movie theater) at Dank Haus, 4740 N. Western Avenue, starting at noon. On Saturday, 12. März 2022, the movie ‘Chicago’ will be shown. After the credits, discuss the film and flex your German language skills at the 2nd Floor Brauhaus Room. Members are $4, and non-members, $6. To register, click here.

If you think Farmer’s Markets ended with winter….come to Wicker Park’s The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Avenue, for an Indoor Farmers Market! From 10am-2pm, enjoy such vendors as Basket House, Beacon Doughnuts, Cuca Cucina, Dilly Dally Provisions, and Fehr Bros. For fresh, local food and products, and for more information, click here.

For a completely different theatre experience, come to HADESTOWN, “where a song can change your fate.” The eight-time Tony Award® winner is “a love story for today… and always. The play intertwines two mythic tales — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone.” Hadestown runs through Sunday, March 13 at the CIBC Theatre, 18 W. Monroe Street. For tickets, click here.

Finally…”Spring forward…fall back!” Set your clock one hour forward on Saturday night, March 12…Daylight Saving Time 2022 in Illinois will begin at 2:00 AM on Sunday, March 13. 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago