Take part in the St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown Rockford on March 17 and then continue the celebrations at PaddyFest, presented By Irish Marching Society, Prairie Street Brewhouse.

THROUGH MARCH 18

Best of Enemies, presented By Artists’ Ensemble Theater, Rockford University, Clark Arts Center, Cheek Theatre, 5050 E. State St., Rockford, Thursdays 7:30 p.m., Fridays 7:30 p.m.,  Saturdays 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Sundays 2 p.m. Single tickets: $30, $28 seniors (62+), $10 Students, Thursday tickets $19. Based on the bestselling book

by Osha Gray Davidson, Best of Enemies is the inspiring true story of a most unlikely friendship. Meet Ann, an African-American civil rights activist, and C.P., the Exalted Cyclops of the Ku Klux Klan. They are forced to work together by the federal government to achieve integration in their small North Carolina town fifteen years after Brown v. Board of Education. Information: (815) 394-5004

THROUGH MARCH 31

77th Young Artist Show: High School Division, Rockford Art Museum,  711 N. Main St., Rockford, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., $7 adults, $3 students/seniors, free for members.  Teachers at 18 schools within 50 miles of Rockford Art Museum submitted more than 1,000 pieces for consideration by this year’s jurors, who chose 149 pieces representing 113 students from 15 area schools. On view are paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures, photography, digital and mixed media and more. Jurors Juan Fernandez and Stuart W. Henn did not know the artist’s name, grade level, or school affiliation when selections were made for inclusion in the exhibition and for awards.

Easter Bunny photos, CherryVale Mall 7200 Harrison Ave., Rockford,10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, Sunday noon-6 p.m., free. The Easter Bunny is available for visits and photos at Center Court.

THROUGH APRIL 11

2018 Art Talks: Who, What Wear, Rockford Art Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, Wednesdays, 11 a.m. doors open, lunch at 11:30 a.m., lecture at noon, $15 members, $20 general public, $12 students.  Annually presented by Women’s Art Board of Rockford Art Museum, this year’s three-part series features engaging talks by Milwaukee costumer and art educator Wendy Schaller Crawford: “The Art of the Handbag” (February 14), “The Art of the Shoe” (March 14), and “Fashion in Art, Art in Fashion” (April 11). Information: (815) 968-2787.

THROUGH MAY 13

Special Exhibit: Curious George – Let’s Get Curious!, Discovery Center Museum,  711 N. Main St., Rockford, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, $1 members, $11 public. Based on the familiar characters in H.A. and Margret Rey’s classic stories, the Curious George exhibit inspires young children’s natural curiosity as they explore early science, math and engineering through hands-on interactive play. Information: (815) 963-6769.

Lunch & Learn: Food as Medicine, 3333 Maria Linden Dr., Rockford, noon-1 p.m., $15 per person, $10 members.  Food is medicine, and what we eat affects us mentally and physically. This presentation will discuss some of the drawbacks of the Standard American Diet, and how it may contribute to chronic disease. We will also discuss food cravings, inflammatory vs . anti-inflammatory foods, and recommendations for a whole food diet for optimal health. Information: (815) 877-0118.

MARCH 14-24

Tinkergarten Class (free trial), Hononegah Forest Preserve,  #80 Hononegah Rd., Rockton,  3:30 p.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m. Saturday, free. Tinkergarten classes provide children ages 18 months to 8 years with an opportunity to explore nature through open-ended play. Children attend class with a parent or caregiver and an experienced Tinkergarten leader guides the group through an outdoor activity. Information: www.tinkergarten.com.

MARCH 15-17

2018 NJCAA Division III Women’s Basketball National Tournament, Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Rd., Rockford,  $8 per day at door, $20 for entire weekend. Rock Valley College welcomes the eight best teams in the country to Rockford. Tournament. Additional information, including tournament brackets, can be found at rvcsports.com/WBBChampionship.

MARCH 16

Celeberating Women in Music, Mendelssohn Hall 406 N. Main St., Rockford, 7:30 p.m., pre-concert lecture at 6:30 p.m., $30 adults, $6 students. Concert featuring various Classical compositions by women, performed by ensembles of regional women musicians. Information: (815) 964-9713.

MARCH 17

2018 St. Patrick’s Day Parade and PaddyFest, presented By Irish Marching Society, Prairie Street Brewhouse and Downtown Rockford, 200 Prairie St., Rockford, 3-10 p.m., $10 adults, free for kids 14 and under. Free downtown parade at 3 p.m., Paddyfest follows with food, beverages and entertainment. Information: (815) 543-4791.

Cultural Heritage Celebration, Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Rd., Rockford,  10 a.m.-4 p.m., $8 adults, $6 children ages 3-17, free for museum members. Celebrate the culture and ethnic groups that make up the Rockford region. Learn about your heritage through educational displays, making cultural crafts, and enjoying ethnic musical and dance performances. Admission includes viewing the museum’s galleries, including the “Many Faces, One Community” immigrant experience exhibit. Information: (815) 397-9112.

Herbs from a Medicine Garden, Womanspace,  3333 Maria Linden Dr., Rockford,  10 a.m.-1 p.m., $40 Video with herbalist Amanda McQuade Crawford and other respected herbalists offering explanations of various herbs and their uses from a medicine garden that can provide remedies for emotional and physical health. Information: (815) 877-0118.

Spring Bird Fair, presented By Illinois Budgerigar Society, Forest Hills Lodge, 1601 West Lane Rd., Loves Park, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., $3, free for children under age 12. A variety of birds will be for sale, including large parrolets, macaws, green cheek conures, linogated parakeets, Meyers, pineapple green cheeks, Quakers, English parakeets, sun conures, Gouldian finches, American parakeets, cockatiels, love birds, finches, canaries and many more. Information: (815) 218-0253.

Spring Craftacular & Bake Fair, Ken-Rock Community Center, 3218 11th St., Rockford, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., $1 admission for adults, free for children. Crafters will offer handmade items that are one of a kind as well as commercial vendors offering specialized products. Concession stand with breakfast and lunch plus bake sale. Information: (815) 398-8864.

The McNulty Irish Dancers – St. Patricks Day Performance, Nordlof Center 118 N. Main St.
Rockford, free. Sit back and enjoy the Traditional Dances of Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day with the McNulty Irish Dancers. They will perform both soft and heavy shoe dances as well as the traditional and some more modern style pieces. In authentic costume, the dancers will finish up the performance with an audience interactive. Information: (224) 639-8644.

Alan Jackson – Honky Tonk Highway Tour, BMO Harris Bank Center 300 Elm St., Rockford. The country icon will perform hits that have gained him legions of longtime fans, songs that continue to draw new crowds as a younger generation discovers his music. Information: (815) 968-5222.

MARCH 18

Palm Weaving Workshop, Ethnic Heritage Museum,  1129 S. Main St., Rockford, 2-4 p.m., $15 fee for palms and supplies. Carol Fiorenza Folkerts will show you how to weave palms. The $15 fee is for palms and supplies. Class size limited to 10. RSVP:  carolsplace9@att.net or (815) 243-6757.

MARCH 18, 22

Kids Festival Classes, Severson Dells Nature Center, 8786 Montague Rd., Rockford, 3-4 p.m. Sunday, 10-11 a.m., Thursdays, from $15. Wooden Eggs Find out what foods will make the best natural dyes. Child-led, parent included, sensory rich class. Children will create beautiful wooden egg keepsakes to take home, for decoration or play. Information: (815) 335-2915.

–Woodford County Calendar of Events March 14 – March 18–