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So many St. Paddy’s events
St. Patrick's Day isn't until Tuesday, March 17 — but local spots are getting the party started early.
The centerpiece is the annual St. Charles St. Patrick's Parade on Saturday, March 14, with an opening ceremony at 11AM, Irish dancers, bagpipers, a shamrock hunt, and the parade itself stepping off at 2PM down Main Street.
But the local festivities start Monday (3/9) and stretch on for days, featuring everything from corned beef cook-offs and paint nights to bar parties and Irish-themed family strolls in the park. I’ve chronicled every event I could find for this week in the roundup linked below.
Also: If you’re a fellow history nerd, you might appreciate these photos from St. Charles St. Patrick’s Day Parades back in the day.
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👓 Spring is coming — and your eyes deserve better than gas station sunglasses
If you've been squinting through last year's scratched lenses or grabbing random sunglasses off the clearance rack, now's a good time to fix that.
Fox Valley Ophthalmology is running a Sunglass Sale all month offering 20-70% off a wide selection of frames at their St. Charles location. And on March 17 from 1-6PM, they're hosting a special in-store event with Maui Jim and Zeal Optics, where a brand rep will be on hand to help you find the right fit, lens type, and frame for how you actually use your sunglasses.
Whether you're after polarized lenses for driving, something rugged for outdoor activities, or just a pair that looks good and lasts, this is the right place to get it done right — from the #1 eye care experts in the Tri-Cities.
☑️ Coffee concept: The St. Charles Plan Commission recommended approval for a 7 Brew Coffee drive-thru location at Prairie Centre, bringing the chain — which has a highly popular Naperville location — one step closer to a local presence.
☑️ Violent incident: A 23-year-old St. Charles man faces attempted murder and multiple felony charges after brandishing a knife and charging at officers who responded to a disturbance on East Main Street late Friday night.
☑️ District decisions: A St. Charles D303 community committee reviewing more than $400M in school facilities needs is heading into its final two meetings before delivering a report to the school board — and a referendum could follow.
☑️ Return of the wild: Kane County's Burlington Prairie Forest Preserve reopens May 1, giving the public its first chance to see the six bison that returned to local prairie land last December.
☑️ Race research: Here’s an overview of the Democratic Primary race between candidates aiming to challenge Republican incumbent Kane County clerk John "Jack" Cunningham — and here’s an overview on the GOP candidates duking it out to compete against incumbent Democrat Alexi Giannoulias for IL Secretary of State.
☑️ Batman-like gadget: The Kane County Sheriff's Office successfully deployed a new vehicle-stopping net device called the Grappler for the first time, ending a pursuit without a crash in a residential area. Watch video of the action.
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☑️ Gaming for good: A growing Queen of Hearts raffle at Sturdy Shelter in Batavia is raising money for Tri City Health Partnership in support of free medical and dental care for uninsured adults — the pot is already past $1,100. Learn how to participate.
☑️ Getting around: The Kane County Health Department launched a new website rounding up free and low-cost transportation options for residents and seniors who need help getting to appointments, pharmacies, and community services.
☑️ Veteran honored: A local Army veteran and Vietnam Purple Heart recipient — who’s also a member of the St. Charles VFW — was selected from hundreds of nominees to represent Illinois on an all-expense paid national tribute trip this spring.
☑️ Get moving: St. Charles hosts nearly a dozen races and rides throughout the year, from a March indoor triathlon to a Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot — events spanning all ages and abilities. See what’s coming up this spring.
☑️ Bringing the past to life: History enthusiast? Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley is recruiting paid docents to lead field trips at the Durant-Peterson House and Sholes School Museums in St. Charles ahead of the Fall 2026 season.
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I suspect you may notice an Irish twist to some of the performances this week. And if you’re up for it, there’s a mid-week St. Patrick’s Day lunch and show at the Arcada Theatre that looks fun.
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⚙️ Your furnace, your AC, your comfort — and some serious savings
State Automatic Heating & Cooling has been keeping Tri-Cities homes comfortable and safe since 1929. They handle everything — furnace repair, AC installation, ductless systems, emergency service — with NATE-certified techs and a refreshing family-owned approach that's hard to find these days.
Right now they're running specials worth checking out before you need them: up to $200 off AC or furnace replacement, $25 off a service call, and other deals worth making a note of before you need them.
Don’t forget to ask about manufacturer and utility rebates!
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☑️ New Lou’s location: Lou Malnati's is coming to St. Charles this fall, joining several restaurants and a massive pickleball facility at the new $22M Fox Haven Square development on the east side of town.
☑️ Dispensary debut: Batavia's first recreational cannabis dispensary opened March 1 at 144 S. Randall Road, where a vacant Arby's has been converted into a Dutchess Cannabis location — the woman-owned chain's sixth Illinois store.
☑️ No lease extension: Jeans and a Cute Top Shop closed its popular St. Charles location after 15 years, allowing the owner to consolidate the business into her Wheaton store and bring her St. Charles manager along for the transition.
🍀 Shop local, get rewards: Urban Artisan is part of downtown Geneva’s Lucky Charms promo through March 23! Stop into the Third Street shop to earn gold coins and boost your chances to win big prizes (including Ed Sheeran tickets) just by shopping local. Check out their top gifts and decor.
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☑️ Local home sales: See recent property sales for the Tri-Cities area — including this $1.3M Elburn mansion with a five-car garage, a pool, and a sport court.
✳️ Need a trustworthy local realtor? Get in touch with Tri-Cities expert Chris Wallace at [email protected] or chriswallacere.com.
☑️ Local obits: Recent obituaries posted by Tri-Cities funeral homes.
☑️ Police reports: View police reports and arrest logs for Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles and Campton Hills.
This section is brought to you by Brother Chimp Brewing — your welcoming, neighborhood taproom with convenient locations in St. Charles and North Aurora. See all of their upcoming events.
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☑️ GROW Season Opener Party | Thu 3/12, 5-7PM | GROW, Geneva | Celebrate the start of growing season with repotting demos, rare plants, and raffles.
🎟️ Charcuterie 101 Workshop | Thu 3/12, 6-8PM | Chi-cuterie, Geneva | Learn to build a charcuterie board with local cheeses, meats, edible flowers, and pairing tips.
🎟️ Baked, Boozed, and Infused | Thu 3/12, 7PM | Pollyanna Brewing, STC | Decorate cupcakes paired with beer and bourbon infusions in a festive class.
🎟️ The Inseparables | Fri 3/13 - Sun 3/15, Various Times | Playhouse 38, Geneva | Comedy about unprepared actors staging a chaotic Three Musketeers adaptation.
🎟️ Pi Day Pie Workshop | Sat 3/14, 2:30PM | Rosewood Farm & Market, Batavia | Hands-on class where you make a full pie from scratch to take home.
🎟️ Geneva Wedding Hunt | Sun 3/15, 1-4PM | Riverside Receptions, Geneva | Scavenger hunt through downtown plus a wedding showcase with prizes.
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