Enter to Win VIP Tickets for the Plainfield Irish Parade

Think you've got the luck of the Irish?

The Village Preservation Association is giving away four VIP tickets to its annual Plainfield Hometown Irish Parade, set to step off from Plainfield High School - Central Campus at 1 p.m. March 17, St. Patrick's Day. 

Parade co-founder Thomas Ruane said one winner will be chosen to receive the tickets, which will give the lucky four a view of the festivities from bleacher-style seating.

To enter, send your name and phone number to shannon.antinori@patch.com. The deadline to enter is 5 p.m. Thursday, March 14. Only one entry per email address will be accepted, and Ruane will contact the winner.

Irish-themed festivities will include a parade, food vendors, activities tent, the popular bike decorating contest and inflatable jumpers.

This year, there's an incentive for parade entries to be especially creative, Ruane said: Durbin's of Plainfield will host a two-hour pizza party to the winners of the "best float" entry. The party will include pizza and drinks for up to 20 people.

Click here for information on the parade and how to enter.

A post-parade pub crawl for adults will start at 3 p.m., traveling to Tap House Grill, Front Street Cantina, Bin 48, Moe Joe's, Uptown Eatery & Tap and HopScotch & Vine. Check back for a pub crawl schedule on the parade website.

The Naperville Knights of Columbus Holy Spirit Council will host a fundraiser for the St. Baldrick's Foundation to coincide with the Irish parade. Aimed at fighting back against childhood cancer, the event is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the former Plainfield fire department headquarters, 15025 S. DesPlaines St. 

So far, more than 30 volunteers are set to get their heads shaved to benefit St. Baldrick's.

Read: Go Bald to Conquer Kids' Cancer: St. Baldrick's Event is March 17 in Plainfield

Parade route, road closings

Parade-related road closures will begin at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, March 17, according to the Plainfield Police Department. Drivers should expect traffic delays in and around Plainfield and Plainfield Central High School.

Unless you're taking part in the parade or plan to be a spectator, drivers are encouraged to avoid downtown Plainfield and a portion of Route 126 between 12:30 and 3 p.m. March 17.

Road closures will be as follows:

• James Street from Fort Beggs Drive to Lockport Street
• Lockport Street from Main Street (Route 126) to Route 59
• Illinois Street from Lockport Street to Commercial Street
• Commercial Street from Illinois Street to James Street
• Chicago Street from Illinois Street to Fox River Street
• Ottawa Street from Illinois Street to James Street
• Des Plaines Street from Oak Street to Ottawa Street
• Fox River Street from Lockport Street to Commercial Street

All streets will reopen as soon as the parade has cleared the area at around 2 p.m.

DesPlaines Street will remain closed between Oak and Chicago streets for post-parade festivities until 6 p.m.