A Comprehensive Guide to St. Patrick's Day
Erin Go Bragh in Lake County
You have the luck o’ the Irish if you are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Lake County. Lake County is home to many well-known Irish establishments like Mickey Finn’s and O’Toole’s in Libertyville, Timothy O’Toole’s in Gurnee, Port of Blarney in Antioch and several others. Besides beer, these places provide your St. Paddy’s Day starter kit: potatoes, corned beef, cabbage and shepherd’s pie.
In Lake County, we all dance to the rhythm, drink some suds and spread around some Irish cheer. Let’s face it, everyone is a little bit Irish when it comes to March 17.
Green beverages shall be passed around, maybe a folk song will be sung and clinks of beer mugs will resonate through the air.
Here are the top events for St. Paddy’s Day in Lake County. While Chicago will be painting its river green, we’ll be painting Lake County green. Be safe out there this year and Erin go Bragh!
St. Paddy’s Day Events
Friday-Sunday, March 10-12; 11 a.m.
Celebrate all weekend for St. Practice Day so you can get a warm-up drill for everyone’s favorite holiday. Green beer, beads and an Irish-themed menu is available for the St. Paddy’s Day dress rehearsal.
Saturday, March 11; Noon
You better believe you’re going to hear some bagpipe action going on at Lake Villa’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Luncheon. The parade route will begin at Palombi School and run for a half mile ending at the Lake Villa train station. Immediately following the outdoor festivities there will be an Annual Corned Beef and Cabbage Luncheon at the Lake Villa VFW Hall.
Saturday, March 11 8 a.m.
Spend the day at Port of Blarney all Saturday for a pre-and-after party of Lake Villa's St. Patrick's Day Parade.Amazing St. Paddy's specials will be offered on eats including a corned beef and cabbage dinner. Breakfast menu will be available from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
St. Patrick’s Day Party at Long Grove’s Village Tavern
Saturday, March 11; 7-10 p.m, Friday, March 17; 5/5:30 p.m. or 7/7:30 p.m.
Lake County’s oldest watering hole in Long Grove is hosting a St. Patrick’s Day celebrations for two separate days over two weekends. All of the Irish eats like corned beef, cabbage and green beer will be available. Live tunes from Roger and the Tavern House Band will have everyone doing a jig.
Sunday, March 12; 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Have you ever seen talented children perform the celebrated jigs like seen on Riverdance? The McNulty Irish Dancers will perform for the first time at the Wauconda Area Library. Enjoy an Irish-inspired afternoon of dancing, beautiful costumes, compelling Celtic tunes and more.
Sunday, March 12; 5-8 p.m.
Here’s to a long life and a merry one. For this St. Paddy’s Day, head to Peter Patterson Glassworks to create your own shamrock. You are able to choose your own color for your glass creation, so obviously it will be dressed in green flair. The shamrocks will only cost $25 this open house weekend, normally priced at $45. May the luck of the Irish be with you.
Wednesday, March 15; 5-8 p.m.
Bonnie Brook offers a St. Patrick's Day corned beef buffet dinner for only $12.95. The price includes a complimentary 16 oz Miller High Life Draft.
Thurs-Sun, March 16-19
Shamrock the Block is an annual staple in the Wauconda community. Experience Erin Go Bragh as this four-day festival features traditional Irish food, live entertainment, prizes, a four-mile run in Irish garb, a St. Patrick’s Day Parade, a leprechaun plunge, a bike ride and more. Head out to Wauconda for the Fourth Annual Shamrock the Block, because this weekend everyone’s a little Irish.
Thurs-Sat, March 16-18; Thurs 5 p.m., Fri-Sat 11 a.m.
From Thursday through Saturday, take a trip to downtown Barrington for the Seventh Annual Barrington Celtic Fest. The festival will be held at the renowned Irish establishment McGonigal’s Pub. You will celebrate with live entertainment, Irish dishes, retail merchants and family-friendly events during the day. Don’t worry if the weather is cold, because there will be a large heated party tent on Park Avenue. Down the road, Chessie’s will also offer St. Patrick’s Day specials including Reuben egg rolls, corned beef, cabbage and lamb shepherd’s pie.
Thursday-Sunday, March 16-19
St. Patrick's Day will be celebrated Thursday through Sunday at Chessie's with select specials. Enjoy Reuben egg rolls for an appetizer and then the famous corned beef and cabbage for the main course.
Friday-Saturday, March 17-18
Green beer as well as traditional Irish foods like corned beef, cabbage and more are offered at the Wauconda brewery. There will also be a tap release of Goose Island's 2016 Bourbon County on Friday.
Friday, March 17
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Bring Your Own Leprechaun to KeyLime Cove and make a family-fun memory for your youngsters. In the final installment of this leprechaun event, this overnight package includes admission to the thrilling and splashtastic action in the Lost Paradise Waterpark, while the activities featured are treasure hunts, festivities, crafting, contests and much more. Don't forget to dress like the little gold hoarder, as there is a leprechaun costume contest. Of course, there will be plenty of Irish-themed eats. Let your leprechaun jump in the pool so he or she can catch their lucky charms!
Friday-Sunday, March 17-19
It's that time of year to celebrate right along Bangs Lake (or you can say River Shannon). Enjoy eats and drink specials all weekend long as Lindy's provides attendees with a special St. Patrick's Day menu. Don't forget to wear your green and throw on some beads.
Friday-Sunday, March 17-19
Visit Docks for an action-packed weekend that features classic Irish eats and drinks. Attendees have the opportunity to search the restaurant to find a four-leaf clover. The one who discovers the lucky clover will win a $100 gift card.
Friday-Sunday, March 17-19; 11 a.m.
Expect the green beer to be flowing and check out the limited menu filled with Irish specialties! The best St. Patty's Day Party in Gurnee will include plenty of beads, drink specials and plenty of green beer.
Friday-Sunday, March 17-19
Head to the Antioch port for the weekend St. Patrick's Day party. Port of Blarney will be offering a full Irish menu with specials including St. Patrick's green beer and a corned beef dinner.
Friday, March 17
The MainStreet Libertyville brewery and 95 WIIL Rock will host a live broadcast show at Mickey Finn’s to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Enjoy a plethora of Irish eats and drinks. Tunes from bands such as the Fitz & Celts and HearthFire will echo through the Libertyville mainstay.
Saturday, March 18; 1-5 p.m.
For St. Paddy's Day, Norton's U.S.A in Barrington will host a beer tasting. You and a few Gaels can also sample Deborah's famous soda bread. Attendees can also shop for something Irish in their famed store.
Saturday, March 18
After you pack on the calories from the delicious eats and frothy drinks of everyone's favorite Irish holiday, take a light jog and/or brisk walk in Deer Park’s St. Paddy’s 5K/10K Run/Walk. The USATF certified 5K (3.1 mile) course is a completely paved course. All miles will be marked with a water stop along the way. Awards will be awarded to the top three of each age group category. Live music, Irish-inspired treats and more will be featured on this day after St. Patrick’ Day event. Go for the gold as you pass through the 'Kiss me I'm Irish Arch.' After a rigorous run or stroll, enjoy complimentary green pop, chocolate gold coins and other Irish-themed eats.
Saturday, March 18; 7-9 p.m.
Ron Eshoo performs with his acoustic ax at the David Adler Center in Libertyville. The guitarist is well-known for his take on Spanish impressionism like Scarlatti, Aguado, Malats and Albeniz. However, since we are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day weekend, Eshoo will be performing some traditional Irish Celtic tunes as well.
For more information about St. Patrick's Day, and all things Lake County, continue here.
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