Fox River Dyed Green, Parades, Fireworks: St. Paddy's Events

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL – When it comes to the St. Patrick's Day holiday, the McHenry County area has it covered. For the first time ever this year, the Fox River in downtown McHenry will be dyed green for the occasion. Meanwhile, parades, music, food, drink and fireworks will be happening at other area events.

Here is a round-up of some of the fun festivities happening in the area this weekend:

Shamrock the Fox in McHenry

The festivities will get underway early in McHenry on Saturday and continuing through Sunday. Here is a look at the schedule events for this year's event, which will include the first-ever dying of the Fox River, a parade, music and more

Saturday, March 17

• 8 a.m.: McHenry Shamrock Shuffle 5k
• 10 a.m.: Dyeing of the Fox River by Blarney Island: between Pearl St. bridge and Miller Point
• 12 p.m.: McHenry St. Pat's Parade - Hosted by Tom Kief of the 95 WIIL ROCK Morning Show on 95 WIIL ROCK
• 2 p.m.: Music Festival Kick-Off with traditional Irish Bagpipers
• 3 p.m.: Gina Gonzalez and the Wingmen
• 6 p.m.: Pirate Radio
• 9 p.m.: Anthem

Sunday, March 18

• 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Food, drink & dinning specials at Downtown McHenry businesses
• 12 p.m.: Yours Truly Acoustic Show
• 3 p.m. Gone Country

More via the McHenry ShamROCKS the Fox Facebook page

Shamrocked Streetfest in Woodstock

The festivities will get underway on Benton Street on the Woodstock Square Saturday at 12 p.m. and continue through 11 p.m. Visitors can expect entertainment by The Boy Band Night and The Ron Burgundy's as well as plenty of food and drink. There will be a bags tournament and those interested can sign up here.

Shamrockers Ball

The St. Patrick's Day festivities will continue this weekend as Broken Oar in Port Barrington holds its Shamrockers Ball. The ball kicked off last weekend with more bands slated to perform on Friday and Saturday and the bar at 614 Rawson Bridge Road in Port Barrington. Doors open at 6 p.m. on Friday with 97 Nine and Suburban Cowboys performing. Doors open at noon at Saturday and there will be performances by Bagpipers, 7th Heaven, Libido Funk Circus and Modern Day Romeos. A two-day pass for the final weekend starts at $10. You can pre-register online.

More via the Broken Oar website

DubliNDEE Fireworks

The DubliNDEE festivities will wrap up on Saturday night when fireworks are be shot off over the Fox River. The fun will kick off with Dundee Scottish Bagpipes on either end of the foot bridge. The fireworks will start at 7 p.m. Parking bans will be in effect, so get there early.

Photo via Getty Images