Mark Your Calendars for Rockford’s ‘Driving’ St. Paddy’s Parade

I know we all want to forget the year 2020, but do you remember when the whole pandemic/shutdowns began right before Rockford's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade last year and it had to be cancelled? It broke many Irishish hearts all over the city, and thankfully the 2021 St. Paddy's Day Parade will not suffer the same fate!

Rockford's Irish Marching Society has announced that their annual St. Paddy's Day Paraded IS happening this year, but seeing it won't require hanging out in big crowds along E State St.

The IMS' 'Driving' Parade is scheduled for Saturday, March 13 at 2 p.m., and the shenanigans will begin at the former Magna store parking lot on E State Street.  Participating parade vehicles will then take off from Magna in groups, and drive designated routes throughout Rockford. The different routes will be posted on the Irish Marching Society's website beforehand so you can plan your watching spot.

Now that I've given you the good news that there will be a St. Patrick's Day Parade in Rockford this year, can I hit you with some bad news? Here goes...the annual PaddyFest party that usually follows the parade will NOT be happening again this year thanks to COVID.

It's a bummer, I get it, but the bright side is; the Irish Marching Society is already planning a 'Half Way to St. Paddy's Day Marching Parade' and Paddyfest this September, right around Labor Day. YAY!

FYI, you can still sign up to participate in this year's St. Paddy's Driving Parade. Get all the info you need here.

Catch Lil Zim on ‘Q98.5 Mornings with Lil Zim & JB’ on Q98.5 from 6:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. Follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and  Facebook