The St. Patrick’s celebration in St. Charles on Saturday brought families to the city’s downtown to revel in all things Irish.
Lauren Mudrak of St. Charles was there with her young son Brady, who is 6 years old.
“I’ve come to this parade before but it’s a been a long time – kids, priorities, you know,” Mudrak explained as she stood near Sixth Street in St. Charles where the St. Patrick’s Parade was starting. “This is Brady’s first parade. I told him there is going to be a long line of people going through St. Charles passing out candy.”
The St. Charles Business Alliance organized the annual parade and many other St. Patrick’s activities beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Events included an opening ceremony at First Street Plaza which included live music from bagpipe players and entertainment from Irish dancers. Those in attendance at the ceremony were also treated to complimentary face painting using designs that included a shamrock or a pot of gold.
While waiting for the 2 p.m. parade, visitors were encouraged to explore the boundaries of the parade route between Sixth Street and Fourth Avenue to search for 10 shamrocks that were hidden as part of a scavenger hunt. On March 18, three winners in the scavenger hunt will be selected to win a “pot of gold” valued at $400, officials said.
Photo opportunities for families were available at First Street Plaza and other sites, and many local businesses were offering sales and specials in honor of the celebration.
St. Charles Business Alliance Executive Director Jenna Sawicki said the St. Patrick’s Parade has been held every year since 2000 with the exception of 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.
“We have 81 entries this year. That’s capacity for us, and we always have a waiting list,” she said of the parade.
Beyond showcasing the businesses in town, Sawicki said the annual parade and other St. Patrick’s activities give people “an opportunity to come out and go into our bars and restaurants,” adding that “this is really great for our entertainment district.”
“Hopefully people discover some of the retail shops that have opened up and it’s a great way to start to dethaw (from the winter),” she said.
Sawicki said that St. Patrick’s events have a universal appeal, and are “all about celebrating the beginning of spring and getting together with friends.”
“It’s just a happy holiday and a great way to showcase the community and getting back together and seeing old friends,” she said.
Saturday’s celebration was held as blustery conditions swept through the downtown, which was awash with a sea of green from those dressed for the occasion.
Becky Mokelke of Yorkville elected to come to the parade with her boyfriend Roy Ware of St. Charles and said despite being far from home, “I thought it would be a really great time coming out for the parade.”
“I love the traditions. Roy had corned beef and hash for breakfast already,” Mokelke said. “He already got the party started early. I’m part Irish but I know everybody enjoys this regardless of their heritage.”
Ware said it was actually his first time coming to the parade despite living in town for 50 years.
“I was invited to ride in one of the cars in the parade,” Ware explained. “My favorite part of all this is being with family and friends and seeing all the smiles.”
Julie Starck of St. Charles said she has come to the parade every year as she owns a business in town and that the parade was an important event “because everybody comes out for it.”
“This gets the community together and gets everybody in the mood for St. Paddy’s and we have an awesome community here in St. Charles,” she said. “My favorite part of all of this is the people. It brings our town together and gets us happy to live where we live.”
Melissa Christensen of Itasca was literally dancing on the sidewalk and said this was her fourth year at the parade.
“I keep coming back year after year because it’s fun,” she said. “The kids love it. So many great parades here and seeing the marching bands and the dancers. I’m part Irish but this is universal – we all come together. You don’t need a reason to celebrate. Just come out and enjoy life.”
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
