Chicago Navy Pier March Events: Spring Time Fun

After a long, snowy winter, Chicago is looking forward to spring. Venture out to Navy Pier as the weather breaks. Navy Pier features entertainment throughout the month of March. Big events include the St. Patrick's Day Celebration and Spring Family Fun with entertainment for the family.

Navy Pier has continuous entertainment, drawing Chicago natives and tourists alike. Navy Pier features restaurants, bars, family entertainment, dinner cruises and more.

Following is a brief description of the events on Navy Pier in March.

Celebrate Poland, Sunday, March 2, Noon to 8 pm. Chicago celebrates it's large Polish population in the Crystal Gardens and IMAX Theater. Chicago is called home the the largest population of people of Polish descent outside of Warsaw, Poland. The Navy Pier event features traditional music, dance costumes and food.

Pulaski Day, Monday, March 3.Music from 11 am to 1 pm by Mindy Hester & Her Band.

Toddlin' Thursdays & Character Weekends. This programs, geared toward toddlers, takes place Thursdays from 11 am to 1 pm. Tottlin' Thursdays runs through March 27.Toddlers are entertained by costumed characters , storytelling and sing-alongs. The programs takes place on Pavilion Stage, presented in partnership the the Chicago Children's Museum. Free.

Wheel of Fortune, March 7-9: Pat Sajak and Vanna White will be on Navy Pier to film episodes of the long running game show. Contestants have already been selected and the ticket deadline is past, so this is FYI.

St. Patrick's Day Celebration: A Weekend of Traditional Irish/Celtic Music. March 15, - 17, 2008. St. Pat's Day is celebrated in a big way in Chicago. The famous dying of the Chicago River to Irish Green and St. Pat's Parade takes place on Saturday in The Loop. The Navy Pier St. Patrick's Day Celebration is a weekend long event, full of Irish and Celtic music, Irish food, green beer, special events special guests and more. Musical entertainment by Stockyard Kitty Band Bagpipers, Gan Bua, The Sprigs, Ce and Anish. The Irish event, is held at the Navy Pier Family Pavilion Stage. Admission is free.

Spring Family Fun, presented by Bank of America, March 14-30. Navy Pier Crystal Gardens transforms in to an indoor spring playground for the last two weeks of March. Family oriented springtime celebration features strolling characters and entertainment. Bring the kids to see characters include the Care Bears, Hello Kitty & Polly Pocket, Clifford & Madeline, Patch & Pickle and Clifford & Mad. There will be daily performances by clowns, jugglers, circus artists and more.

Take a ride on the Springtime Express, a train ride through a fantasy fairytale world. Games include the Bunny Hop Bouncer, Slippery Slide, Fairytale Bouncer, Patch's Pitch, Circus Train and the Pier Park Outdoor Attractions. Outdoor attractions include McDonald's Ferris Wheel, Miniature Golf, Patch's Lighthouse and Sprout Mountain Slide.

Sunny Bunny will be at Navy Pier for photo opportunities. Pictures can be purchased, or take pictures of the Bunny your own.

Admission to Spring Family Fun is free. Purchase a Family Fun Activity Wristband for $10, for indoor attractions. The Spring Family Fun Activity Wristband Plus, $15, includes indoor attractions plus the Pier Park three-ride combo. There is a $2 off coupon available at the Navy Pier website. An additional $1 discount is available to holders of the Bank of America or LaSalle Bank debit/credit cards at the door.

The Navy Pier website has a print out coupon for $10 off parking, along with coupon savings for some attractions. If you choose not to drive to Chicago, metra trains travel from the outlying suburban area. In the dity there are buses and taxis offering efficient transportation around the Windy City.

Information is subject to change.