WEST LOOP — After staging the "world's largest block party" on UIC campus for two years, Old St. Pat's Block Party will return to its West Loop roots this weekend.
Back at its original location across from Old St. Pat's Church, the 33rd annual festival will bring live bands, food trucks and more fun to the neighborhood from 5-10:30 p.m. Friday and 2-10:30 p.m. Saturday. The festival entrance gates will be located at Monroe & DesPlaines and Jefferson & DesPlaines.
Entrance from 5-6 p.m. Friday is free and $10 at the gate the rest of the weekend. Kids five and under are free.
Friday bands
• 5:30-8:00 p.m. — Mike & Joe
• 8:30-10:30 p.m. — Wedding Banned
Saturday bands
• 2-3:30 p.m. — TBA
• 4-6 p.m. — Maggie Speaks
• 6:30-8 p.m. — 7th Heaven
• 8:30-10:30 p.m. — Elevation, U2 tribute show
Saturday afternoon activities include plenty of family-friendly fun, including bounce houses, face painting games and more. The first 100 kids will receive a Block Party Kid Zone bag.
Proceeds from the Old St. Pat's World's Largest Block Party support the mission and outreach activities of Old St. Patrick's Church.
In 2015, festival organizers moved the fest to the UIC festival lot on Morgan Street between Taylor Street and Roosevelt Road.