Want to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the Rockford area? Here are 13 ideas for fun
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — It’s St. Patrick’s Day weekend and a multitude of events are celebrating the holiday with all things Irish.
Numerous bars and restaurants are putting corned beef cabbage and other Irish fare on the menu — more than we can list. There are also musical celebrations, races and of course the annual parade.
Here are 13 ideas for Irish-themed fun this St. Patrick’s Day weekend.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
When: 3 p.m. Saturday, March 15
Route: The Irish Marching Society’s annual parade steps off from in front of the Rockford Public Schools administration building, 501 Seventh St. It then goes north on Seventh, turns west on State Street and ends around Water Street.
St. Patrick’s Day .1K
What: Rockford radio station 104.9 The X hosts this short run to raise big money for the Friends of the Rockford K-9 Unit. The seventh annual St. Patrick’s day .1K Run goes a total of 328 feet. Participants receive an event T-shirt, race bib and a beer stein.
Where: Jax Pub, 4160 N. Perryville Road, Loves Park
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 15. (Check-in begins at 10 a.m. with race time at 11 a.m. and a costume contest at noon)
Cost: $30
Tickets: Go HERE
PaddyFest
What: The annual PaddyFest is a celebration with Irish cuisine and music happening in a new location this year, Loves Park City Hall. The music includes performances from The Tooles, Emerald Wind and the City of Rockford Pipe Band
Where: Loves Park City Hall, 100 Heart Blvd., Loves Park
When: 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 15
Cost: $10
St. Paddy’s at Prairie Street
What: This free, family-friendly event is designed to keep the St. Patrick’s Day celebration going in downtown after the annual parade. There is live entertainment, Irish-inspired food and drinks and activities for people of all ages. Jon Bon Stamos will perform in the Barrel Room, DJ Slick will spin in the Railbarn and Bottling House, and City of Rockford Pipe Band will perform through the day.
When: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 15
Where: Prairie Street Brewing Co., 200 Prairie St., Rockford
IceHogs celebrate St. Paddy’s
What: The Rockford IceHogs have home games on both Friday and Saturday night this week, and Saturday’s game is a St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Anyone with tickets has a chance to win IceHogs memorabilia and other prizes through the Pot ‘O Gold promotion.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, March 15
Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford
Tickets: Go HERE
Shamrock Beer Run
What: The nonprofit Nik’s Wish will host a fundraising Shamrock Beer 5K. There are beer stations along the route for you to run, walk or crawl your way to the finish line while dressed in green. The event raising money to grant wishes for young adults facing cancer.
When: Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 15
Where: Mercyhealth SportsCore One, 1288 Elmwood Road, Rockford
Cost: $60; or $25 to enter the Brewfest activities only
Register: Go HERE
St. Patrick’s Day Parking Lot Party
What: Ernie’s Midtown Pub will host a parking lot party as the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade organizes just outside its bar. The pub will have music, bags, corned beef and cabbage, Ruebens, Reuben chimichangas and Reuben quesadillas. There will also be multiple Irish-themed drink specials.
When: 11 a.m. Saturday, March 15 (parade starts at 3 p.m.)
Where: Ernie’s Midtown Pub, 1025 Fifth Ave., Rockford
St. Patrick’s Day Rooftop Party
What: Disco Chicken will host a rooftop party for prime viewing of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, then an after party begins with DJ Wyldone.
When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 15
Where: Disco Chicken, 212 E. State St., Rockford
Mary’s Place St. Patrick’s Day Party
What: Alt rockers Dark Sun, Gilded Cages, Motherwind, and Scorched Waves will perform during Mary’s Place’s St. Patrick’s Day party.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 14
Where: Mary’s Place, 602 N. Madison St., Rockford
Cover: $10
St. Pat’s Party
What: Fozzy’s will host its St. Patrick’s Day party with Irish-themed food such as corned beef and cabbage dinners and Reuben egg rolls. There are also Irish-themed drinks and music spinning from DJ Eddie Mix and DJ Dev.
When: 1 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, March 15
Where: Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 6246 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park
St. Patrick’s Bash
What: Murphy’s Pub & Grill will have music from Emerald Wind, Clan MacAlpine Pipers, Magtones and Trinadora on Saturday and the bands perform again on Monday for St. Patrick’s Day with the addition of Dick Gorman to the lineup.
Where: Murphy’s Pub & Grill, 510 S. Perryville Road, Rockford
When: Saturday, March 15 and Sunday, March 17
St. Patrick’s Day Trivia
What: Get dressed in green gear, gather your friends and get ready to answer trivia questions about everything from Irish history to pop culture.
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 15
Where: The Pottery Lounge, 312 N. Alpine Road, suite 104, Rockford
Cost: $10
Info: Go HERE
St. Patty’s Acoustic Showcase
What: Five bands from around the Rockford region will perform: Jacoby, Eclectic Red, Jim Thomas, Korey Pepper and Keith Christoherson. Corned beef will also be on the menu.
Where: Whiskey’s Roadhouse, 3207 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 15
Admission: No cover charge
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
