Rockfordians kick off St. Patrick’s Day early with parade and celebrations

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — It is just two days away from St. Patrick’s Day, but that did not stop Rockfordians from celebrating a little early on Saturday.

The Irish Marching Society led the parade through downtown Rockford and stopped at Prairie Street Brewing Company to continue the celebration.

Windy weather did not stop paradegoers from enjoying the festivities. People from all around the stateline came to celebrate.

“We’re from Oregon which is about 30 minutes away from Rockford, and we made the trip to enjoy all of the festivities of Rockford and just loved to see the downtown be revitalized and everyone enjoying it, just a great experience,” said the Knobloch family.

The family was just one of many who continued the celebration at Prairie Street Brewing. The event included live music, a kid’s area and games at Prairie Street across multiple floors of the brewery.

The pub’s manager said he was happy to provide paradegoers with food and drinks after the parade.

“We’re right downtown, we’ve got the best spot right by the river, and we definitely anywhere from people stopping out for some drinks to hosting private events here, we definitely are a spot to come congregate together as a community,” said Robert Sanner.

“Our goal for today was to throw the biggest party possible and make it as accommodating as possible that way people with families could come through people as individuals could come through and definitely could come through with their friends,” Sanner explained.

Sanner said St. Patrick’s Day is one of their busiest times of the year.