Plenty of entertainment on St. Patrick's Day

Palatine’s “Paint the Town Green” celebration on Saturday, March 16th is more than just a parade it’s a festival for everything Irish with food, drink, entertainment and shopping all throughout the town.

“We are going to have a family-friendly day of celebration for St. Patrick’s Day,” said event coordinator, Liz Noe of ElizEvents.  “Irish food, drink and entertainment will be available at a number of local establishments.  They’ll be all kinds shopping opportunities and we’ll be collecting items to support the homeless and near-homeless through Journeys the Road Home during the parade.”  Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable items to the parade route. 

During the day, Durty Nellie’s will be serving Irish food and drink specials as well as providing music from Highland bag pipes from 11:30 PM to 1:00 PM and The Buddies from 2:00 PM until 3:15 PM.  After 11:30 AM a $10.00 cover charge will apply.  Starting at 3:30 PM and playing to 4:15 PM Irish Dancers will perform followed by Matt Stedman Band from 5:00 PM until 6:30 PM.  Red Rebel County takes the stage from 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM.  The final performances of the evening starting at 9:30 PM until 11:00 PM will be a U2 cover band Without U2 followed by Rock Candy at 11:30 PM.

One of the newer bars in Palatine, Smith Street located next to Durty Nellie’s will also be providing entertainment during St. Patrick’s Day.  From Noon until 2:00PM entertainment will be provided by Doggone Mountain followed at 2:30 PM until 4:30 PM by Dog 1.  Then from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Molly and Tinker will perform followed by Julie Dutchek from 7:30 PM until 10:00 PM.

Emmett’s Ale House will be serving Kegs N Eggs from 9:00 AM until Noon as well as traditional Irish foods throughout the day.  Entertainment will kick off at 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM with a bagpipes performance.  After the parade at 1:00 PM, Emmett’s Brewmaster will conduct a firkin tapping ceremony of Emmett’s Rafferty Red beer where a spigot is driven into a small wooden keg with a wooden mallet.

For shopping and entertainment, “Paint the Town Green’s” Irish Market will feature 16 vendors selling foods, treats, jewelry, Irish trinkets and more.  The Irish Market will also provide musical entertainment.  In addition to Irish favorites, there will also be a variety of music throughout the day with Merv Collins and his instrumental guitar music from 8:00 AM until 9:00 AM, Mary Lia from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM and Guyz with Bad Eyez performing a wide variety of music on their guitars for two hours starting at 11:00 AM.  According to the band, “We do a lot of Gordon Lightfoot and John Prine tunes.  We also mix in some old standards too… like Deep River Blues, The Glory of Love and others.”

The American Legion is holding their monthly pancake breakfast which is open to the public from 8:30 AM until 11:30 AM at the American Legion Hall 122 West Palatine Road in Palatine to raise funds for Legion Family Charities. They will be serving “all you can eat” pancakes and French toast.  With the pancakes and French toast, the S.A.L. will serve sausages, bacon, scrambled eggs, fruit, orange juice, coffee and milk.

The ‘Paint the Town Green’ event continues to enhance Palatine’s position as a destination town for public festivals.  The premier sponsor and presenter of the festival is Durty Nellie’s.  Current top sponsors include the Daily Herald Media Group and Northwest Community Healthcare.  Other sponsors include Lavelle Law, City Beverage, Emmett’s Brewing Company, Indian Guides/Indian Princesses, Palatine Patch and Chicagoland 4 Braces, Dr. Gerry Aylward.  Assistance has also been provided by Arlington Toyota, Borne2Dance and Bauer’s Brauhaus.

For more information on the St. Patrick’s Day celebration, visit www.stpatspalatine.com or email info@stpatspalatine.com.