A number of festivities planned this March 17 after last year's cancellations
Milwaukee-based Celtic band Reilly is among the live musical acts planned at the St. Patrick's Day celebration March 17 at Ballydoyle Pub in Downers Grove. The event is one of several festivities in the area to mark the occasion as COVID-19 restrictions begin to ease. (photo provided)
The COVID-19 shutdown fell last March, just as local communities and businesses were readying for their St. Patrick's Day celebrations. While life is not back to normal yet, many are feeling lucky to be able to once again welcome people to participate in the Irish fun. Here are opportunities near Hinsdale to go green:
• Shamrock Fest
March 12-14 & 17
Palmer Place
56 S. La Grange Road, La Grange
(708) 482-7127
https://www.palmerslagrange.com
Palmer Place will hold its 38th annual St. Patrick's Day celebration with capacity restrictions and time limits on tables. The band "Corned Beef" Burrito (aka "Evil") will kick things off at 6 p.m. Friday. On Saturday, Blarney Stone'd will perform at 11 a.m.. followed by the Scott Allan Band at 2 p.m., The Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band at 5:30 p.m. and Kickin' Jimmy at 7:30 p.m. Stepping on stage on Sunday will be JD Kostyk at noon and the Shannon Rovers at 4 p.m. And on Wednesday, guests will be treated to the musical stylings of Katie & Kelly at 1 p.m., the Shannon Rovers at 5 p.m., and Chicks with Picks at 6:30 p.m. Masks and social distancing are mandatory. For more information, visit the website listed above.
• St. Patrick's Day Celebration
March 12-13
Imperial Oak Brewing
501 Willow Blvd., Willow Springs
(708) 330-5096
https://www.imperialoakbrewing.com
Imperial Oak Brewing will hold its annual St. Patrick's Day event outside featuring Irish dancers, food trucks and special beverages. On Friday enjoy Trinity Dance performances at 6 and 8 p.m. while being on hand for the brewery's release of its Udder Madness milk stout with Irish infusions. Trinity Dance also will perform Saturday at 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m.. Tacos Mario will serve up Mexican fare on Friday, and Twisted Classics and Smoke Daddy's will be on site on Saturday. For more information, visit the website listed above.
• St. Patrick's at BuckleDown
March 13
8700 47th St., Lyons
https://www.facebook.com/BuckleDownBrewing
BuckleDown brewery will hold its St. Patrick's Day party from noon to 8 p.m., which will include the release of the brewery's Irish stout The Shane, corned beef and cabbage and Irishman burgers courtesy of Wild Monk's pop-up food service and a pipes and drums performance at 3 p.m. Visit the Facebook page listed above for a full schedule.
• St. Patty's @ Ballydoyle
March 13-14 & 17
Ballydoyle Irish Pub & Restaurant
5157 Main St., Downers Grove
(630) 969-0600
The party begins Saturday night with the Blarney Brothers performing at 7 p.m. All ages are welcome Sunday for the "Safe" Patrick's Family Day with limited capacity from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to enjoy an Irish brunch, Irish dancers, live music and craft kits for kids. Patrons will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis. Free entry tickets are available on the website listed above. The festivities start at 8 a.m. on Wednesday with Kegs and Eggs, with the Oswego Fire Department Pipe and Drum Corps performing at 9 a.m., the Aidan O'Toole Duo at noon, bagpiper Mike Courney at 3 p.m., Reilly at 5 p.m., a Knights of Ballydoyle Procession at 9 p.m. and Semple at 9:30 p.m. The McNulty Irish Dancers will also perform throughout the day.
Feed me, I'm Irish
• Kenny's Irish Pub
March 17-18
917 W. 55th St., Countryside
https://www.kennysirishpub.com
Kenny's is serving up corned beef family meals for dine-in and carry-out. The four-person meal comes with two pounds of corned beef and costs $46.95. The six-person portion features three pounds of corned beef and costs $69.95. Meals also include cabbage, red potatoes and carrots. Sliced bread and Swiss cheese is available for an extra $1 each, and a quart of Guinness stew can be purchased for $14.95. Individual dinners are also available and green beer will be served in the restaurant. Carry-out orders must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Visit the website listed above.
• Pinstripes
7 Oakbrook Center Mall, Oak Brook
March 13-21
https://www.pinstripes.com/oak-brook
Pinstripes is offering St. Patrick's Day treats including house-made pistachio gelato, $8 Guinness Floats and $4 green beer. Visit the website listed above
for more information.
• Irish Times
Ongoing
8869 Burlington Ave., Brookfield
Enjoy a family meal with tender homemade corned beef, red potatoes, shredded cabbage and steamed carrots served with creamy horseradish for $49.95 or fresh vegetables and tender beef braised in a rich Guinness broth served with homemade Irish soda bread for $59.95. Visit the website listed above to order online for pick up or delivery.
St. Patty's Day 5K
The Rotary Club of Naperville's 2021 Sunrise Rotary St. Patty's Day 5K will be a virtual event this year. Runners who register for $35 at https://www.stpaddysday5k.org will receive a link to log their race time via email through March 31. Participants will receive their swag bags and shirts via mail and also will be eligible to win gift cards to downtown Naperville stores, The top three male and female runners will receive awards of $150, $100 and $50, respectively. Proceeds will benefit the critical COVID-related food, shelter and mental health needs of Naperville area youth. Additional discounts and offers from downtown Naperville businesses are listed on the Downtown Naperville website at https://www.downtownnaperville.com.
- compiled by Ken Knutson
