Heads up if you’re driving in downtown St. Charles on Saturday!

The 2019 St. Patrick’s Day Parade is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 9, and a number of street closings will be in effect. There will also be additional parking restrictions in the downtown area.

Beginning at about 1:45 p.m., Main Street (IL Route 64) will be closed between 7th Street on the west side of the river and 5th Avenue (IL Route 25) on the east.

The city will also close 2nd Street (IL Route 31) at that time between State Street and Illinois Street. Detour routes for both Route 64 and Route 31 will be posted and staffed by Police and Emergency Management personnel 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 a.m. to 4:30 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 a.m. Those streets are:

• Walnut Street from South 3rd Street to South 7th Street.
• South 4th Street from Main Street to Illinois Street
• South 5th Street from Main Street to Illinois Street
• South 6th Street from Main Street to Illinois Street
• North 6th Street from Main Street to State Street
• Cedar Street from North 5th Street to North 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.

About the St. Charles Police Department

The St. Charles Police Department provides law enforcement, investigations, traffic and special events, social services, crime prevention, and community outreach services to the St. Charles, Illinois, community. One of the first agencies in the state to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, the department has retained accreditation since 1989.

The St. Charles Police Department actively supports Special Olympics Illinois and embraces community-oriented service to the 33,000 residents and nearly 2,000 businesses in St. Charles.