St. Charles, Dundee Parades Great Way to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Kane County, IL!
The biggest St. Patrick’s celebrations in Kane County are probably the annual St. Patrick’s Parade coming up Saturday in St. Charles and “DUbliNDEE,” throughout East Dundee and West Dundee.
St. Charles Parade
The fun really goes on all day, but the 2 p.m. parade is the centerpiece, featuring Irish dancers, authentic Irish music, floats and and a lot more. It’s a great way to get into the Irish spirit. Some photos and a YouTube video are presented here for your viewing pleasure. To see and learn more, visit the city of St. Charles website, the Downtown St. Charles webpage and Facebook page and the Downtown St. Charles YouTube page.
Other events of the day include a 10 a.m. dance extravaganza at the Arcada Theater and the Lucky Dog Contest for those who bring their dog decked out for the St. Patrick’s celebration. You can register for the dog contest at the tent in from of the Municipal Center (2 E. Main St., St. Charles) between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
The St. Charles Kiwanis organization, which is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Kiwanis International this year, will serve as grand marshal for the 16th annual parade in downtown St. Charles.
On Parking and the Parade Route
The 2015 St. Patrick’s Day Parade is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2015. A number of street closings will be in effect. There will also be additional parking restrictions in the downtown area.
Beginning at approximately 1:45 p.m., Main Street (Illinois Route 64) will be closed between 7th Street on the west side of the river and 5th Avenue (Illinois Route 25) on the east.
St. Charles also is announcing that 2nd Street (Illinois Route 31) will also be closed at that time between State Street and Illinois Street. Detour routes for both Illinois Routes 64 and 31 will be posted and staffed by Police and Emergency Management using State Street, 7th Street, Illinois Street, Illinois Avenue, and 5th Avenue.
Motorists are reminded to follow detour route signs and be alert for pedestrians and traffic control personnel. The Police Department encourages drivers seeking quick passage through the region to use alternate routes, as long delays may be experienced.
Parking will be prohibited on the Parade and Detour Routes from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Vehicles parked in violation will be towed.
A number of streets will be closed to allow for the staging of parade units beginning at 11:00 a.m. Those streets are:
- Walnut Street from S. 3rd Street to S. 7th Street
- S. 4th Street from Main Street to Illinois Street
- S. 5th Street from Main Street to Illinois Street
- S. 6th Street from Main Street to Illinois Street
- N. 6th Street from Main Street to State Street
- Cedar Street from N. 5th Street to N. 7th Street.
Parking will be prohibited on those streets, as well.
The St Charles Police Department reminds everyone to act responsibly this St. Patrick’s Day season. Be mindful of increased pedestrian traffic and Do Not Text and Drive.
St. Patrick’s Celebration in Dundee
SOURCE: dundeestpats.com
This year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade steps off at around 11 a.m. Saturday, March 14, will march South from Wenholz Avenue and Water Street and then East on Barrington Avenue and then South on River Street, ending at Jackson Street.
The grandstand will be located at the corner of Barrington and River Street.
This year’s parade is going interactive and the crowd will choose their favorite float!
Dundee will kick off the parade at the Grandstand with an Irish Song at 11 a.m. As the parade approaches the grandstand, veterans will present colors and the National Anthem. Parade entries will be judged for the Best in Community, Entertainment, Clan, and Business at the Grandstand.
Parade Programs will be offered at business starting mid-week and during the fireworks.
Stick around to see who wins the 12/21 Trophies to the Best in each category.
“Celebrations will be had all over DUbliNDEE!! Come out and join us!” the website says.
Saint Patrick’s Day History
SOURCE: History.com
Saint Patrick, who lived during the fifth century, is the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland. Born in Roman Britain, he was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave at the age of 16. He later escaped, but returned to Ireland and was credited with bringing Christianity to its people. In the centuries following Patrick’s death (believed to have been on March 17, 461), the mythology surrounding his life became ever more ingrained in the Irish culture: Perhaps the most well known legend is that he explained the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) using the three leaves of a native Irish clover, the shamrock.
Since around the ninth or 10th century, people in Ireland have been observing the Roman Catholic feast day of St. Patrick on March 17. Interestingly, however, the first parade held to honor St. Patrick’s Day took place not in Ireland but in the United States. On March 17, 1762, Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through New York City. Along with their music, the parade helped the soldiers reconnect with their Irish roots, as well as with fellow Irishmen serving in the English army.
Growth of St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations
Over the next 35 years, Irish patriotism among American immigrants flourished, prompting the rise of so-called “Irish Aid” societies like the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick and the Hibernian Society. Each group would hold annual parades featuring bagpipes (which actually first became popular in the Scottish and British armies) and drums.
In 1848, several New York Irish Aid societies decided to unite their parades to form one official New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Today, that parade is the world ‘s oldest civilian parade and the largest in the United States, with over 150,000 participants. Each year, nearly 3 million people line the 1.5-mile parade route to watch the procession, which takes more than five hours. Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia and Savannah also celebrate the day with parades involving between 10,000 and 20,000 participants each.
Photo Credit: Downtown St. Charles:
CREDIT: Oscar Pallares, Photographer
