5 things to do around McHenry County: Flashlight egg hunt, art exhibit, St. Patrick’s 5K

Children line up at the start with their parents before a flashlight Easter egg hunt on Thursday, April 13, 2017, at the Good Tymes Shelter part of the Sycamore Community Sports Complex in Sycamore.

1. There will be a flashlight Easter egg hunt on Friday, March 18, in Algonquin’s Towne Park.

The event, which starts at 8 p.m., is open to those age 5 and older. Egg hunters will be divided by age.

The traditional egg hunt is planned at 10 a.m. April 9, also in Towne Park. That egg hunt is open to participants from newborns to 12-year-olds only, with participants separated by age. There will be 10,000 eggs for participants to pick up as quickly as possible. All participants must be accompanied by an adult throughout the duration of the event.

For information about Algonquin’s two egg hunts, go to algonquin.org.

2. The New Beginnings art exhibit at The Dole will open Friday, March 18, with a special event including a photo booth, scavenger hunt, and coloring and watercolor stations.

The family-friendly event is free to attend, but donations are appreciated. It will run from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at The Dole, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake. There will be live music, a cash bar, and a prize drawing at 7:30 p.m.

The exhibit, featuring the work of Creative Arts nonprofit art studio students and professional artists, will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Gallery doors are sometimes closed, but The Dole team will open the doors so visitors can view the artwork.

Creative Arts Inc. is a nonprofit studio in the historic Art Cottage on the grounds of The Dole Mansion.

For information, go to www.thedole.org.

3. The St. Patrick’s Day 5K will run the length of State Street in Hampshire on Saturday, March 19.

The timed run will start at 9 a.m. by the Copper Barrel, 172 S. State St., which will host the after-party. An award ceremony will be held during the after-party, with medals for the top three participants, male and female, in each age group.

All runners will receive a bib number, a festive race three-quarter-length-sleeve baseball shirt, and a green beer. Shirt sizes can become limited as race day nears.

Race items can be picked up at the Hampshire Township Park District office, 390 South Ave., Hampshire, during office hours this week or on race day from 8:15 to 8:45 a.m. at the Copper Barrel.

Online registration closes at 4 p.m. Friday. Registration will open back up for in-person only on race day from 8:15 to 8:45 a.m. at the Copper Barrel. The cost is $40 for residents and $45 for nonresidents.

Online race results will be posted online at www.j3timing.com/race-results.html. Participants must finish in 75 minutes.

For information, go to runsignup.com/Race/IL/Hampshire/StPatricksDayFunRun5k.

4. Windy City Dueling Pianos will play Saturday evening at Offsides Sports Bar and Grill, 680 Eastwood Drive, Woodstock, in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.

A limited number of VIP tables for the performance, which runs from 7 to 10 p.m., can be reserved for $60 for a four-person table or $30 for a two-person table. Reserved seating will be available starting at 5 p.m.

A special corned beef and cabbage dinner will be offered.

For information or tickets, go to bit.ly/OffsidesDuelingPianos.

5. Broken Oar - Marina Bar & Grill continues the second weekend of its Shamrockers Ball with Irish dancers on Thursday and Sunday and a series of bands through Sunday afternoon.

Gates open at 4 p.m. Thursday at the Broken Oar at 614 Rawson Bridge Road, Port Barrington. Entry is free on Thursday for St. Patrick’s Day.

Irish dancers will perform at 6 p.m., followed by Vinyl Goldmine at 7 p.m. and DJ Karaoke at 9 p.m.

Both Friday and Saturday will be for those age 21 and older only, featuring Gooroos at 6 p.m. and Libido Funk Circus at 9 p.m. on Friday, and Wedding Banned at 3 p.m., Rumor Hazik at 6 p.m. and Pino Farina Band at 9 p.m. Saturday. Gates open at 5 p.m. Friday, and 2 p.m. Saturday.

Sunday will see more Irish dancers at 1:30 p.m., and Hi Infidelity will perform at 2:30 p.m. Gates open at 1 p.m.

For information, go to brokenoar.com/events. Tickets can be bought at buytickets.at/brokenoar/651352.

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