Mark your calendars for the two day McHenry Sham-ROCKS the Fox, St. Patrick’s Day celebration! This wonderful community event is loaded with fun for the whole family!

The celebration kicks-off on Saturday March 14^th at 8am with the annual 5k run – the McHenry Shamrock Shuffle! Little ones have the opportunity to participate in the kids 400m dash, which begins at 7:45am at the McHenry High School East Campus. Awards will be given for top female/male overall runs and top three male/female in each age group. Each child that participates will get a finisher medal, which they can wear with pride for the rest of the day’s events.

Online registration for the Shuffle ends on March 12th at noon, so make sure to get yourself registered. A new addition to this year’s registration includes packet pickup on Friday from noon until 8pm at the McHenry Recreation Center. For those unable to make it on Friday, same-day packet pickup will be available on site in the East Campus Gym from 6:30am-7:30am. 

After the 5k, head over to Blarney Island to watch the famous tradition of dyeing the Fox River emerald green. Interested attendees should line up along the Fox River between Pearl Street and Highway 120 to experience the excitement that will begin at 9am. 

From kids to adults alike, who doesn’t love a parade? The floats, clowns, decorated cars and candy. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade kicks off at 11am starting at the East Campus parking lot and will the route will continue west on Waukegan. Make sure to stake out your spot early.

The river isn’t the only thing that will be green—check out the McHenry Riverwalk at Miller Point from 11am – 11pm. Featuring a beer tent, of course with green beer, children’s activities, and live music. There will be a variety of food trucks such as; Toasty Cheese, Best Truckin’ BBQ and My Funnel Truck, so come hungy – there is St. Patrick’s Day fun for everyone!

The celebration continues on Sunday with jam-packed activities for people of all ages to enjoy. For those of you who were unable to make it to Miller Point on Saturday, you’ll get a second chance on Sunday! The beer tent will reopen from 12pm-7pm, and just like on Saturday, Miller Point will provide activities for people of all ages to enjoy with green beers, children’s activities, live music, and food trucks. To wrap up the great weekend of festivities, at 7pm, guests will be able to gather for a gorgeous firework display at Miller Point. Bundle up and get ready for a great show!

If you are interested in learning more about Gerstad Builders many communities near these St. Patrick’s Day events, click here to contact us or call at (815) 385-4495.