: Baked goods are just some of the things for sale at the 59th Illinois Mennonite Relief Sale in Bloomington March 17-19. (Photo courtesy of Illinois MCC)

MARCH 16

Gene Editing Technology Talk

Thursday, 4:30 p.m.

Sanders Hall, Room 108, Eureka College

Free

Dr. Paul Small will deliver the third installment of the 2016-17 Dean’s Lecture Series by discussing gene editing technology. For more information, call (888) 438-7352.

Healthy Snacking

Woodford County Extension Office, 109 E. Eureka St., Eureka

Free

The program is part of the Diabetes Clinic program to encourage good eating habits. For more information, call (309) 467-3789.

MARCH 17

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Friday, 11 a.m.

Begins at the corner of Monroe and Hancock streets

Free

Join the throngs in the wearing of the green. The parade ends with a party to be held on the CEFCU Stage on the Peoria Riverfront. For more information, visit www.stpatpeoria.com

MARCH 17-18

IHSA March Madness Basketball Tourney

Friday & Saturday, beginning 11 a.m. on Saturday

Peoria Civic Center, 201 SW Jefferson

For each game: $11, $9, and $7

Class 3A and 4A Semifinal games.  For more information, visit www.ihsa.org/SportsActivities/BoysBasketball.aspx

MARCH 17-19

59th Illinois Mennonite Relief Sale

Friday-Sunday, 4-9 p.m.

Interstate Center, 1106 Interstate Drive, Bloomington

Free

Enjoy superb dinners, a Dutch Market and Butcher Shop, and an auction which begins at 6:30. For more information, call (309) 266-7704.

MARCH 18

River Spirit Flute Circle

Saturday, 1-2 p.m.

Forest Park Nature Center, 5809 N. Forest Park Drive, Peoria Heights

Free

Listen to Native American flute music or try your hand at playing the wooden instrument. There will be flutes to borrow. For more information, email ilmidwife@comcast.net.

Spring Fling Fair benefits Totes for Ta-Tas

Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Park Inn by Raddison, 201 E. Ashland St., Morton

7th annual craft and vendor fair will raise funds for Illinois CancerCare Foundations’ Breast Cancer Research Fund. For more information, call (309) 657-0992.

Remarkable Reptiles at the Zoo

Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Peoria Zoo, 2320 N. Prospect Road

$9.50 age 13+; $6.50 children 2-12

Have animal encounters with everything from snakes to turtles. Snake feeding will be at 1 p.m.

Heartland Festival Orchestra Symphony Idol

Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

5-Points, 360 N. Wilmor Road, Washington

$35; $8 students

Finalists from American Idol will join the HFO in music from jazz, rock, country and pop. For more information, visit heartlandfestivalorchestra.org.

MARCH 19

In-Residence at ICC: Prairie Wind Ensemble

Sunday, 2:30 p.m.

ICC Performing Arts Center, East Peoria

$10; students/seniors $8

Professional chamber music by premier musicians. For more information, call (309) 694-5136.

MARCH 21

Registration Due for Low-Salt Cooking Class on March 23

Thursday, 6:30 p.m.

Eureka Public Library, 202 S. Main St.

$3

Nutritionist Jenna Smith will teach participants how to break the salt habit without sacrificing on taste. Register by March 21 by calling (309) 467-2922.