March events to bring road closings in Plainfield

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Updated: March 15, 2012 8:02AM

PLAINFIELD — Drivers will need to be aware of road closures next month in Plainfield.

The Plainfield Village Board granted road closure requests for the Hometown Irish Parade and St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraiser March 11 and the Plainfield North Fast Cat 10K on March 31.

Planner Jonathan Proulx said the Hometown Irish Parade, coordinated by the Village Preservation Association and MainStreet, will start at 1 p.m. and end around 2:30 p.m. But road closures are not limited to the parade time, Proulx warned.

During the parade, closures will include: James Street; Lockport Street from James to Illinois streets; Illinois from Lockport to Commercial streets; and Commercial from Illinois to James. Between 2,500 and 3,000 people are expected to watch the parade.

Des Plaines Street from Lockport to Chicago streets will be closed from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. that day for the family entertainment area. The space will be used for such things as inflatables and a viewing stand for the parade, Proulx said.

The same day, the Knights of Columbus host the St. Baldrick’s fundraiser at the former firehouse and administration center in downtown.

Community members will have their heads shaved in exchange for donation for childhood cancer research.

That part of the event closes Des Plaines Street from Lockport Street north to Oak Street from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Unlike previous years, Proulx said the St. Baldrick’s fundraiser will not be part of a larger St. Patrick’s Day celebration. No food or alcohol sales will be part of this event.

Plainfield North race

The Plainfield North Fast Cat 10K on March 31 will impact drivers around the vicinity of Plainfield North High School, 12005 S. 248th St. Affected roadways will be closed for about two hours.

The 6.2-mile race starts around 8 a.m. at the high school. Runners go east on 119th Street before winding through nearby subdivisions and finishing at Plainfield North. About 18 homeowners on Millennium Parkway between Champion Drive and 248th Street will directly be affected.

The event is a fundraiser for the high school’s track and field program.