Friday, March 29, 2013
Village officials are looking at ways to reduce the costs associated with the many special events held in Plainfield.
Plainfield has become an attractive venue for special events, from fundraisers to festivals to 5K runs — but at what point does all the activity become too much of a good thing? That’s the issue village officials are wrestling with after hearing from Plainfield Police Chief John Konopek earlier this week. “[The Plainfield Police Department is] a great supporter of special events,” Konopek said during a Committee of the Whole meeting. “It brings people to town, it brings money to town, it also highlights what the village has to offer. However, it is becoming a drain on our resources.” Read: How Many Events is Too Many in Plainfield? So far in 2013, plans are in the works for up to 18 events, including the recent Plainfield Hometown Irish …
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
So far, 18 special events — not including Cruise Nights — are scheduled for 2013 in Plainfield.
Should Plainfield put a limit on the number of special events it hosts each year? That's the question police had for village officials at a Committee of the Whole meeting Monday night. Plainfield Police Chief John Konopek said the village’s popularity as an event venue has helped foster community spirit and allowed Plainfield to showcase what it has to offer — but it’s also become a drain on village resources. Konopek and community services Cmdr. Ken Ruggles on Monday discussed limiting the number of events approved each year in Plainfield and implementing a set of uniform application guidelines — and a possible fee schedule — for organizations that want to host an event in the village. From parades to 5K fundraisers to festivals, the …
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Whether you're Irish or not, there was plenty of fun to be had Sunday in downtown Plainfield. In addition to the annual Irish parade, dozens of "shavees" volunteered at the St. Baldrick's fundraiser.
The chill in the air didn't keep the crowds away from downtown Plainfield on Sunday, as spectators lined the streets to watch the 11th annual Plainfield Hometown Irish Parade. Sign up for the Plainfield Patch newsletter Participants in this year's festivities included the Stockyard Kilty Band, Keigher Academy of Irish Dance, Joliet Firefighters Pipes and Drums and numerous Plainfield businesses. The event capped off with a pub crawl for adults, while kids enjoyed inflatables, face painting and more in the family area at DesPlaines and Lockport streets. The parade coincided with the Naperville Knights of Columbus Holy Spirit Council's St. Baldrick's fundraiser, which raised more than $34,000 (and counting) to fight children's cancers. Held …
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Festivities start at 1 p.m. Sunday.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Plainfield police will begin closing roads at 12:30 p.m. Sunday. All roads, with the exception of DesPlaines Street, will reopen around 2 p.m.
The 11th annual Plainfield Hometown Irish Parade will step off from Plainfield High School - Central Campus at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 17. Plainfield police are urging motorists to take note of parade-related road closures and warning of delays in and around downtown Plainfield and PHS. 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: All streets will reopen as soon as the parade …
Monday, March 11, 2013
The Village Preservation Association is giving away four tickets for VIP-style bleacher seating for the March 17 event.
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 …
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
The Plainfield Hometown Irish Parade will return this St. Patrick’s Day, while Plainfield Fest and the Midwest Brewers Festival are a go for summer 2013.
Winter is well under way, but Plainfield trustees were planning ahead for summer Monday as they signed off on plans for this year’s Plainfield Fest and Midwest Brewers Festival. The village board also approved road closures for the Village Preservation Association's 2013 Plainfield Hometown Irish Parade, which is set to step off at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 17. The event, which got its start as a small neighborhood St. Patrick’s Day celebration, drew more than 6,000 spectators last year, according to Tom Ruane of the Village Preservation Association. Eleven years later, the parade has made its way into downtown Plainfield and is held in conjunction with a fundraiser for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. “It grows every year because of everyone’s …
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
One of the parade organizers says Plainfield School District 202 marching bands are invited every year to perform but always say no.
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Wednesday, March 14, 2012
For those lucky thousands of people who happened to be in downtown Plainfield on Sunday, the “luck of the Irish” was with you. What wasn’t with you, however, was representation from all our wonderful Plainfield school bands in the Plainfield Hometown Irish Parade. Providence Catholic High School Band from New Lenox was the band that participated. Plainfield schools do not perform in the Irish Parade. I am one of three parade chairmen who try every year to make this one of the best Irish parades in the area. We have the most wonderful support from the village board and from the police, fire and village public works departments, but we can’t seem to convince the Plainfield School District 202 board that this parade is …
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Balmy spring-like weather brought out the crowds to Sunday's 10th annual Plainfield Hometown Irish Parade.
We could write a long article about Sunday's Plainfield Hometown Irish Parade, but we thought it might be fun to show you instead. Check out these photos by Plainfield Patch freelancer writer/photographer Linda Ozbolt to see if you recognize any of the faces...
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Friday, March 9, 2012
If you'd like a front-row view of the floats, bikes and pipes at Sunday's shindig, all you need to do is email us in your name and contact info.
Going to the annual Plainfield Hometown Irish Parade is always fun, but how much more fun would it be to have prime seats in the grandstand with a bird's eye view of the action. It could be you and your family enjoying those great front-row spots if you enter our Do You Feel Lucky contest, in which the only prerequisite is access to a computer or smart phone and the ability to email your name and phone number to karen@patch.com. The four tickets will go to one winner and are courtesy of the parade organizers, who thought it would be fun to have regular folks enjoy a perk typically reserved for VIPs, parade co-founder Thomas Ruane said. This is the 10th year for the parade, which started out with just a few kids riding on bikes and has …
Shannon Antinori
3:56 pm on Friday, March 29, 2013
The Lakelands event (July 4) looks to be a separate event than the Patriotic Picnics and Fireworks display, which is scheduled for July 3 this year. And again, the Lakelands fireworks event is only proposed -- it hasn't gone before the board or gotten approval yet. more ›