The 13th Annual St. Patrick’s Parade presented by the City of
St. Charles starts at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 10, 2012, on Main and 6th Streets. Grand Marshals for the Parade will be the award-winning Drill Teams from St. Charles East and North High Schools. More than 70 entries are registered to participate in the parade.
New this year is the Festival Tent featuring live bagpipe music, face painters, a shamrock coloring contest, and dog costume contest, and raffle to win a genuine Emerald Claddagh Ring from
JP Jewelers. The tent will be located in the Municipal Center Parking Lot at 2 E. Main St. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Registration for the “Decorated Dogs Costume Contest” is from 9 to 1030 a.m. in the Festival Tent. All dogs will receive a professional photo taken by Alex Claney Photography and will walk in the parade. Entries will be voted on at the festival tent after the parade for the opportunity to win prizes, including top dog.
The Arcada Theater, 105 E. Main St., will feature dance performances by students from the local studios from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Miss Illinois 2011 Hannah Smith will make a guest appearance with the dancers from Beth Fowler School of Dance. Tickets are a $1 donation at the door.
Approximately 60 volunteers are needed. “Please help make the St. Patrick’s Parade and Festivities the best one ever and continue the tradition of keeping St. Charles the “Pride of the Fox” and the “Best City in America to Raise a Family.” said 5th Ward Alderman Ed Bessner. To help, go to www.prideofthefox.com and click on St Patrick’s Parade and Volunteer.
The event is newly-produced this year by Pride of the Fox, Inc. The parade theme is “A Family Friendly Town.” Chairwomen are Darlene Riebe and Betsy Penny. Sponsors include The City of
St. Charles, Veolia Environmental Services, Kane County Chronicle, McNally’s Irish Restaurant, The Claddagh Restaurant and the Arcada Theater.
Pride of the Fox, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to community service, and takes pride in showcasing that St. Charles is truly #1. The organization also produces River Fest, which will celebrate 30th years in downtown St. Charles June 8-10, 2012.
