What You Should Know for the St. Patrick's Day Parade

The St. Patrick's Day Parade kicks off at 11 a.m. Saturday. You better get their early if you want to save yourself a seat along Main Street.

St. Charles Patch will be giving away coffee and hosting a raffle for Patch swag. Stop by , 221 W. Main St. before the parade. Stop in and say "Hi." 

New this year to the parade is the St. Patrick's Day festival, which runs all day at the City's parking lot.

Here's what you need to know:

Schedule: The festival tent runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is located in the Municipal Center parking lot, 2 E. Main St.

The parade kicks off at 11 a.m. It begins at Sixth Street and Main Street and travels east on Main Street to Fourth Avenue.

Grand Marshals: The Grand Marshals are the St Charles East and North High Schools Drill Teams.

Dog Costume Contest: Dress up your dog and stop at the festival tent for the Dog Costume Contest. Registration is from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

Voting for "top dog" will take place at the festival tent after the parade.

Alex Claney Photography will provide professional photos of each dog entering the contest. Each dog also will have the chance to walk in the parade.