Editor’s Note: Story has been updated to reflect current dates and events.
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What are you doing this St. Patrick’s day? Come on, everyone’s Irish on St. Patty’s Day. Here are some fun ways to celebrate with your family.

Start your day by throwing some corned beef and cabbage in the crockpot, even if you don’t LOVE it (I do!), it’s fun to eat something different once in a while, and lets your kids try something new.

Last year we made a ‘leprechaun trap” which was very cute. The idea is to catch the “naughty” leprechaun. Sometimes leprechauns come and pee (green food coloring) in your toilet and not flush, sometimes leprechauns come and spill food or toilet paper all over your house or other silly pranks.
Our leprechaun didn’t make a mess; he just came to visit, so we tried to catch him with Lucky Charms cereal sprinkled outside of our trap. When our trap wasn’t successful, he left us gold coins (made of chocolate) and a note that said “better luck next year.”
Let me caution you after we didn’t catch the leprechaun, my son wanted to build a trap the following month for the Easter Bunny and try again. Ha!

If you’re adventurous, you can travel downtown Chicago to see the River get dyed green March 14th and experience the St. Patrick’s Parade at noon.
Now if you’re a south-sider, you know the “real parade” is the Sunday before St. Patrick’s Day (March 15th.)
Find all the local Lake County St. Patrick’s Day events in our Little Lake County Guide to St. Patrick’s Day in Lake County.

You could plan a visit to the Irish American Heritage Museum in Chicago or take your kids to see some Irish Dancing.
If you have spring fever and need to get some fresh air, please join some fun races around town:
- St Patrick’s Day Green Beer 5K Arlington Heights March 7, 2020
- Shamrock Shuffle (unofficial start to the racing season in Chicago) 8K March 22, 2020
- Deer Park St Paddy’s 5K March 14, 2020

And if you’re not tired of all things Irish after March 17th, save the date for a very fun and family-friendly weekend of Irish Fest in Milwaukee at the Summerfest Grounds August 13-16.
After all that excitement cuddle up with your kids and read a fun St. Patrick’s Day story like “There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Clover“.
May your blessings outnumber the Shamrocks that grow,
Irish Blessing
and may trouble avoid you wherever you go.
May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light,
and may good luck pursue you each day and night.

How do you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?
Find more ideas, recipes, and activities at St. Patrick’s Day in Lake County.
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