Credit: kaibara87, Flickr
We didn’t need the luck of the Irish to find plenty of great events happening this St. Patrick’s Day weekend in Champaign-Urbana. Celebrate with your little leprechauns, catch a free movie and top the weekend off with some homemade maple syrup and pancakes!
Our weekend picks:
What: The Second Annual “Sharin’ Of The Green St. Patrick’s Day Parade
When: 1 p.m. Saturday, March 17
Where: Normal, Ill. (parade route here)
How much: Free
Appropriate for: Everyone
Why you should go: Who doesn’t love a parade? Show your Irish spirit this weekend by checking out some awesome St. Patrick’s Day floats and then hang out and explore Normal and its nearby neighbor, Bloomington. Plus, proceeds from the parade benefit Easter Seals. You can’t go wrong!
What: St. Patrick’s Day story time at Barnes and Noble
When: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 17
Where: Barnes and Noble in Champaign
How much: Free
Appropriate for: Everyone
Why you should go: Dress in green to make sure you don’t get pinched and head over to this free St. Patrick’s Day story time featuring crafts and holiday-themed stories. Afterwards, hang out and play with the new (brand new!) train table and browse for books.
What: St. Patrick’s Day for Kids
When: 11 to 11:45 a.m. Saturday, March 17
Where: Urbana Free Library
How much: Free
Appropriate for: All ages
Why you should go: Take your little leprechaun to the library for some green-themed crafts, snacks and stories. Hang around afterward, the UFL is a great place to play.
What: Free spring movie: “Dolphin Tale”
When: 9 and 10 a.m. Sunday, March 18
Where: Savoy 16, 232 W. Burwash, Savoy
How much: Free
Appropriate for: Grade-schoolers and up
Why you should go: You can’t beat a free movie on the big screen, and we heard raves about “Dolphin Tale.”
What: Maple Syrup Open House
When: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m Sunday, March 18
Where: Forest Glen Preserve, east of Westville, IL
How much: Fee is $5 for adults, $2.50 for kids under 12.
Appropriate for: Everyone
Why you should go: Watch as Forest Glen’s own delicious syrup is made right before your eyes, and enjoy a sausage and pancake breakfast. For more information call 662-2142.
