ROCHELLE — Everybody is Irish when it comes to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.
Join in the fun on Saturday, March 10 for the Lucky’s St. Paddy’s Day Parade and Irish Hooley from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Rochelle.
Nancy Bingham, Parade and Hooley organizer, said the event will feature new things as well as returning acts. Members of the O’Brien family will head the parade this year as Grand Marshals.  
“The event kicks off at a new time, 12 p.m., and there will be more food this year,” Bingham said. “Come down, enjoy some lunch and entertainment then stay around for the parade at 2 p.m.”
Bingham added there will be a bigger tent this year, things to do and see outdoors along with vendors and crafters inside the Living Waters Church.

Entertainment includes the returning Irish Bag Piper, Shawn McDonald; Irish Music performed by We3 at 12 p.m. and by the Templetons at 2:30 p.m.; Rochelle’s Performing Arts Academy at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.; and Irish Dancers at 3 p.m.
Activities include crafts, “Leprechaun Land” for the little ones, caricature drawings by Kevin Berg from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., face painting by Kim Ekes from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., and the Rochelle Fire Department’s Wee Firehouse.
Parade and event goers will have plenty of food to choose from including sweet treats from Sullivan’s, corned beef and cabbage from The Kitchen Table, Italian beef and pizza slices from The Rack, Tacos al Pastor, Girl Scout Cookies and Hicks BBQ.
Bingham is inviting kids of all ages to wear green, adding the committee has ordered sunshine and great weather, but just in case to be prepared for the weather.
“Irish pickles…yes, Irish pickles. You just have to taste them and you’ll want more,” Bingham said when asked what everyone can expect at the event. “It’s a day to get together with family and enjoy food, music and fun. Activities are free for the kids and the parade is fun! We are Shamrockin’ our way to St. Paddy’s Day.”