Oak Forest Fleadh 2017: Everything You Need to Know

OAK FOREST, IL - The eighth annual Oak Forest Fleadh - the city's pre-St. Patrick's Day celebration - event takes hold of the city on Saturday. The event, organized by the city of Oak Forest and the Oak Forest-Crestwood Area Chamber of Commerce, includes a 5K run/walk, parade, pub and restaurant open house and open street time. Road closures will be in place as early at 7:30 a.m., with regular traffic patters returning by 1 p.m.

Here's a rundown of all the information you'll need to know if you are taking part in the events.

Street Closures

Cicero Avenue will be closed beginning at 8 a.m. for the CNB Oak Forest Fleadh 5K, which will begin at 8:30 a.m. Cicero will remain closed until 1 p.m., following the parade.

The city's Emergency Management Agency will allow local traffic to get through the adjacent neighborhoods between 147th Street and 151st Street. It will redirect non-local traffic down 147th Street to Pulaski Road, according to the city.

The 5K race

The race starts and finishes at 159th and Cicero Avenue and takes runners through the city’s 3rd Ward. More than 400 participants are expected to run or walk the 3.1 mile course.

Register for the 5K here!

Open Streets

Fleadh-goers are invited to bike, play or blade on Cicero between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., the time in between the race and the parade.

Parade

The parade will begin at 11 a.m. and head north on Cicero from 157th Street to 151st Street. It will include local businesses, community and civic groups.

Participants with floats in the parade will be Oak Forest Emergency Management Agency, Oak Forest Fire Department, Cub Scout Pak 341 - Carrying flags, Boy Scout Troop 341 - Welcome sign, Friends of Oak Forest Animal Control - Grand Marshal, Elected Officals, The Chicago Stockyard Kilty Band, Oak Forest Veterans Commission, Swartz & Son Auto Body, Oak Forest Baseball Association, Pipes and Drums of the Lake County Indiana Sheriff's Department, Lee's Academy of Martial Arts, Faith United Methodist Church, Girl Scout Troop 65163, Great Clips Oak Forest Commons, Forest Ridge School District 142, Girl Scout Troop 65644, Bremen Families First Party, Girl Scout Troop 60331, Irish Wolf Hound, Fierke Singers of Fierke Education Center, Allstate - Susan Semanate, Girl Scout Troop 60619, Arbor Park PTO, Bremen Tax Cut Party, Oak Forest Swim Association Barracudas, Oak Forest Flag Football and Cheerleading, Oak Forest Park District, Acorn Public Library, MB Financial, Girl Scout Troop 60649, Girl Scout Troop 60188, Oak Forest Girls Softball, Orland Memorial Post 111 of the American Legion, King Heating and Air, Tri-County Truck Tops, Bettenhausen Automotive, Crime Prevention Commission, Homewood Disposal, Fish Tales Fishing Club, Truth for 228, District 228 Parents for Progress, South Pawz, Inc., Fullserv Auto Care, Treasure Chest Foundation, Blarney Stone Pub, Hog Wild, The Rockin' Horse, Beggars Pizza, Windy City Thunderbolts , John Amico, Gaelic Park, Toyz N Cosplay Con, Cindy's Pub, Girl Scout Troop 60429 and Elect Jack Hille 142, Sullivan's Pub , Szabo Plumbing, Oak Forest Streetscape Commission, Suburban Party Characters, Oak Forest Bowl and The Park.

Grand Marshal

The Friends of Oak Forest Animal Control Commission will serve as this year’s grand marshal. The group is inviting residents and their dogs to walk with them in the parade.

Restaurant and Open House

This will take place throughout the day and include this year's Fleadh sponsors, including Blarney Stone Pub, Oak Forest Bowl, Marcotte’s, Beggar’s Pizza, Nite Games and Cindy’s Pub.

Bar Specials

Blarney Stone Pub, 15400 S. Cicero will have two tents outside and live bands playing. A $5 cover begins at 11 a.m. Sean & Charley will open at noon and play again at 9 p.m. Without U2 - a U2 cover band - will play at 4 p.m. The bar will open at 7 a.m. and serve breakfast. A Bloody Mary bar will e open from 7-10 a.m. Food specials will be available throughout the day.

Taps Pub, 15427 S. Cicero will have no cover charge.

Oliver's Bar & Grill, 6150 W. 159th St. will have specials available.

Marcotte's Bar & Grill, 15501 S. Cicero will serve breakfast from 8-11 a.m. and offer $3 yard sticks. A $5 cover will begin at 6 p.m. and a DJ will come later at night.

Cindy's Pub, 5230 W. 159th St. will have a float in the parade and offer $3 shots of Jameson, 6 for $10 buckets of Miller and Budweiser products (an everyday special) and no cover.

The Rockin' Horse Saloon and Grill, 5200 W. 159th St. is a parade sponsor and will have a float in the parade. Specials include $1 domestic drafts, $6 Reuben sandwiches and $4 Jamesons. Complimentary bus rides to the bar will be offered from 6-11 p.m. No cover during the daytime.

Parking

Free parking will be available all day and night in the Arbor Commuter Lot at the southwest corner of 159th Street and Oak Avenue – across from the Metra train station.

Street parking may also be available.

DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE!!!!!!!

“The Oak Forest Police Department will be on patrol this St. Patrick’s Day, so make sure you obey the law,” said Oak Forest Police Department Deputy Chief Dominic D’Ambrosio. “Don’t drink and drive, and don’t let your friends do it, either."

The city's public intoxication and open containers ordinances will be strictly enforced, so alcohol will only be available in designated areas such as beer tents, beer gardens, pubs and restaurants.