DIXON — On Saturday, March 15, Dixon is preparing to paint the town green for its yearly St. Patrick’s Day parade and festival.
The march begins in the cafeteria parking lot at Dixon High School, 300 Lincoln Statue Drive, at 3 p.m., according to event organizer Patty Oliver. Live music, a bagpiper, at least one float, and “many Irish people dressed in their crazy green outfits marching and throwing out candy and beads” are all part of the parade, she said.
After the parade, there will be corned beef and cabbage dinners and music by the Irish band The Gleasons from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Dixon Knights of Columbus Council 690 Hall, 506 W. Third St.
According to Oliver, there is a price for food at the KOC event, but there is no admission fee. The Dixon Community Food Pantry will profit from the 50/50 raffle, kid-friendly activities, and hot dogs.
According to Oliver, the Rock River Valley Shamrock Club president and her sister, Julie Helfrich, is assisting with the event’s planning. Due to a shortage of volunteers, the RRVSC, which has been organizing the march for nearly 30 years, almost canceled it last year.
Oliver claimed that her family, who had been enjoying the event for years, stepped in because they were unwilling to let it end.
Oliver remarked, “Every year we march in the parade.” “We like the Irish music and the celebration. We identify with the Irish ancestry, culture, and history because we are a very Irish family. We’ll give them some time to relax and then take over because we’ve benefited from their hard work.
This weekend’s other St. Patrick’s celebrations include:
- The Dixon: Historic Theatre, located at 114 S. Galena Ave., will host a Classical Blast in Kilts concert on Friday, March 14, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. In addition to songs by modern Irish bands, this live music event incorporates rock renditions of traditional Irish and Scottish folk music.
- On Saturday, March 15, from 8 to 11 a.m., the Dixon Family YMCA will host the Shamrock 5K and Kids Fun Run at 110 N. Galena Ave. At 8:30 a.m., the Kids Fun Run will start, and at 9:30 a.m., the 5K will follow.
- The Dixon YMCA on Boyd Street will be the starting point for the 5K run, which will end at the Rotary Pavilion on River Street. Beginning near the Log Home and ending behind the Dixon YMCA building, the Kids Fun Run will entail a single loop around the bridges and Heritage Crossing.
