ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS (March 5, 2026) — The Rock Island Downtown Alliance is excited to present the Shamrock Showcase on Saturday, March 14, 2026. This St Patrick’s celebration invites the community to show their Irish spirit, wear a touch of green, and support downtown businesses alongside the St Patrick Society of the Quad Cities’ fortieth annual Grand Parade.
The parade officially kicks off at 11:30AM at the intersection of 4th Avenue and 23rd Street, but fun for all ages starts bright and early and continues all day — long after the last bagpipe passes.
From authentic Irish fare and St Pat’s drink specials to live music, hands-on crafts and leprechaun photo ops, participating businesses throughout downtown are offering festive ways to celebrate the holiday beyond the parade route.
“This is one of those special dates we circle on the calendar each year in Downtown Rock Island, and our businesses are showing up in a big way for the community,” said Jack Cullen, Executive Director of the Downtown Alliance. “There’s even more cause for celebration this year as one of our own — Jeff Rusk of Steve’s Old Time Tap and Looney’s Little Chicago – is Grand Marshall of the Parade.”
Participating Businesses
- Awake Coffee Company
- Bev’s Yarn Barn
- Big T Wear
- Blue Collar Bagels
- Brews Energy
- Brick and Motor Boutique
- Flaherty’s Irish Candy Co. (Arts Alley)
- Icons Martini
- La Flama Food Truck (Arts Alley)
- La Flama Mexican Restaurant
- Lavish Salon & Spa
- Looney’s Little Chicago
- NEST Café
- Painted Dragon Face Painting (Arts Alley)
- Polish Pub
- QC Coffee and Pancake House
- QC Farmers Market
- Quad City Arts
- Ragged Records and Music
- Refined Fit Lab
- Rock Island Ale House
- Rock Island Brewing Company
- Skeleton Key Art and Antiques
- STEAM on Wheels
- Steve’s Old Time Tap
- The Speakeasy
- The Stern Center
Full details on the event available at: www.downtownrockisland.org/shamrock.
About the Rock Island Downtown Alliance
The Rock Island Downtown Alliance formed in 2023 as a joint effort between the public and private sectors to strengthen livability and quality of place in Downtown Rock Island. The Downtown Alliance, an affiliate of the Quad Cities Chamber, partners with the City of Rock Island to staff, manage and implement Downtown Special Service Area (SSA) programs.
