By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Looking for things to do this St. Patrick’s Day weekend?
We’ve got a few suggestions below, ranging from the annual parade and PaddyFest to a super short race, local plays, films, comedy and a celebration of sock monkeys.
Here are 11 things you can do this weekend. You can always find more on our events page.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
The Irish Marching Society hosts its annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and PaddyFest celebration this weekend in downtown Rockford.
When: 2 p.m. parade lineup; 3 p.m. parade steps off; 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for PaddyFest
PaddyFest location: The Standard on State, 214 E. State St., Rockford
Parade Route: The parade will follow its traditional route starting at Seventh Street and Fifth Avenue in Midtown and moving north on Seventh Street to West State Street, west on State to Water Street before disbanding.
An easy race for a good cause
The St. Patrick’s Day .1K put on by 104.9 The X is back with a 328-foot course around Jax Pub in Loves Park.
Once the quick run is over, stick around for the costume contest with a chance to win concert tickets, the Busch Jewelers pot of gold, a scavenger hunt from Rockford Liquidation Warehouse with five $100 gift cards and other prizes.
A portion of the proceeds benefit Rock House Kids, a nonprofit on Seventh Street that serves Rockford’s youth.
Where: Jax Pub, 4160 N. Perryville Road, Loves Park
When: 10 a.m. check in; 11 a.m. race begins; noon costume contest; 1 p.m. acoustic performance by Finding Ghosts
Cost: $25
Tickets/info: thexrockford.com/the-st-patricks-day-1k-presented-by-anderson-toyota
Go mad for sock monkeys
Learn about the sock monkey’s ties to Rockford’s industrial past and how the red-heel sock became a universally recognized symbol of local industry at the annual Sock Monkey Madness event. Guests can sew their own sock monkey with guided instruction and tour the exhibit “The Missing Link: Sock, Monkeys and Rockford’s Industrial Past.”
Where: Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 11 (the last time to begin a sock-monkey making workshop is 3 p.m.)
Admission: $12 adults; $8 children; free for children younger than 4. $35 per sock monkey kit, which includes admission.
Tickets/info: midwayvillage.com
Related story: Nelson Knitting factory, where red-heeled socks were once made, may be destined for demolition
Celebrate the arts
The Rockford Area Arts Council on Friday will celebrate the winners in 11 categories of this year’s Rockford Area Arts Awards.
When: 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 10. Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m. and the awards ceremony starts at 6:30 p.m. There is an after party beginning at 8:45 p.m.
Where: Rockford Woman’s Club, 323 Park Ave., Rockford
Admission: $50
Tickets: artsforeveryone.com/rockford-area-arts-awards-tickets/
Lecture series: The Myth of the Lost Cause
Historian Tim Malone will deliver a lecture titled The Myth of the Lost Cause, which examines of post-Civil War confederates reimagined their role and motivations in an attempt to rewrite history.
Where: Maze Books, 117 S. Third St., Rockford
When: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 11
Admission: Free
Midweek laughs in downtown Rockford
Comedian Marcos Lara hosts this free stand-up comedy show starring Chicago comic Bobby Hill and Rockfordian Kevin Haas.
Where: J&K Lounge, 505-507 E. State St., Rockford
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 8
Info: Facebook event page here
See ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’
The Studio presents the Andrew Lloyd Webber “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” this weekend.
Where: Rockford University’s Maddox Theatre, 5050 E. State St., Rockford
When: 7 p.m. Friday, March 10; 2 p.m. Saturday, March 11; 6 p.m. Saturday, March 11; 2 p.m. Sunday, March 12
Admission: $13 in advance, $15 at the door; $11 for seniors and children 12 and younger, $13 at the door
Tickets and info: tickets.thestudiorockford.com
RV, Camping and Travel Show
Peruse a variety of travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers and motorhomes while getting travel and camping ideas for the future. There is also family entertainment, including a chance to get up close with cold-blooded animals such as a Burmese python, American alligator and African bullfrog.
Where: Mercyhealth Indoor Sports Center, 8800 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park
When: 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, March 10; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 11; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 12
Admission: $6 (free for children 12 and younger)
Tickets/info: rkfdrvshow.com
See films about women, by women at Lunafest
Seven award-winning films made by women for women will be screened at Lunafest, a short film festival put on by Womanspace. There is also a viewing option.
Where: Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford
When: Screening times run between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, March 11
Tickets/info: womanspace-rockford.org/lunafest
Take a detour for comedy
Stand-up comedy takes over The Detour in Loves Park on Saturday featuring headliner John McCombs. The Fats Productions presents show is hosted by Dan Garcia and also features Dylan Scott and Tyler Ross.
Where: The Detour, 1920 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 11
Admission: Free
Info: Facebook event page here.
Ag All Around Us
Kids can meet local farmers, create barnyard crafts, see some baby animals and do other hands-on activities at Ag All Around Us.
Where: Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 11
Admission: $10; free for members and children ages 1 and younger
Tickets/info: discoverycentermuseum.org/all-events/event/3364-ag-all-around-us
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas