Downtown St. Patrick’s Day Parade
See more than 50 floats and 2,000 Irish step dancers at this year’s parade, which runs along Columbus Drive, starting at Balbo Drive and heading north to Monroe Street. U.S. Rep. J. Dennis Hastert and Mayor Daley head the list of politicos scheduled to appear. Don’t forget to check out the Chicago River on your way (it’ll be dyed green starting at 11 a.m.). Noon Saturday. 312-744-5000.
South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade
If you plan on partying at this neighborhood parade–and most 20-somethings do–stick to the west side of Western Avenue. It’s where the debauchery and bars are. Families stake out the east side of the street. The parade kicks off at 103rd Street and Western Avenue and heads south on Western to 115th Street. Noon Sunday. 773-239-7755.
