Pub crawls, block parties and grub: Your guide to St. Patrick’s Day in southwest Illinois
St. Patrick’s Day is coming up Sunday, and there are plenty of events planned in Belleville and nearby for metro-east residents looking to celebrate the holiday.
Belleville’s St. Patrick’s Day Block Party will take place downtown Saturday. In January, organizers mentioned the possibility of relocating the event to O’Fallon if a finance committee measure had passed that aimed to charge parade sponsors for street closures, police staffing and cleanup crews. Alderpeople on the ordinance committee voted 8-0 to reject the motion, the News-Democrat reported in January.
The forecast is favorable for parades this weekend. It should be mostly sunny with a high near 53 degrees Fahrenheit Sunday, according to the National Weather Service St. Louis office.
Here’s what to know about this year’s block party festivities and other St. Patrick’s Day events in the metro-east and St. Louis.
Belleville St. Patrick’s Day Block Party
Belleville’s block party festivities will include a parade, live music, food trucks, a Lucky Leprechaun 5K, a 50-yard Kids’ Rainbow dash and more. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, according to its Facebook page.
Registration for the 5K is $30, and the fee is $5 for the children’s fun run. Fees may increase closer to the event date.
Downtown Alton St. Pat’s Pub Crawl
The Downtown Alton St. Pat’s Pub Crawl will take place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. A free shuttle bus will run for the duration of the event, and there is no charge for the event other than what you choose to purchase at the pubs.
Stops along the route include Bluff City Grill, Brown Bag Bistro, Bubby and Sissy’s, Danny’s Lounge and more.
Metropolitan St. Patrick’s Day Parade in St. Louis
St. Louis will have its 55th annual Metropolitan St. Patrick’s Day Parade this year at noon Saturday downtown. More than 250,000 people regularly attend the event, according to its website, and more than 5,000 marchers will participate.
Jig on down to @BPVSTL following the downtown St. Patrick’s Day Parade to get sham-rocked at the after party! Tickets start at just $15 and include 50% off select drinks, live entertainment, & more.
Get tix ️ https://t.co/yJjneQdn7v. pic.twitter.com/kTePSytsZ3— St. Patrick's Day Parade, St. Louis MO (@IrishParadeSTL) March 9, 2023
The parade will begin at the intersection of 20th and Market streets and will include a 5-mile run and a “3K Shuffle.” Pets are not allowed.
O’Fallon Grub Crawl
O’Fallon’s third annual St. Patrick’s Day Grub Crawl will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Gears, Boarding House Bistro, VFW, 1st Street Lounge, Mandy’s, Peel, The Upright, Shooters, American Legion and Le Ono.
