CHICAGO — It was another South Side Irish Parade for the books – the pipers, parishes, step dancers, high school bands, local TV news personalities and Bozo, with more than 100 entries participating.
Thousands lined Western Avenue between 103rd Street and 115th Street for the annual South Side Irish Parade that began 45 years ago with a few baby buggies and kids riding their bikes around the block at Talman and Washtewaw.
The layered look was in as most people wore multiple articles of clothing beneath their green attire amid the wind and flurries. It wasn’ the first 40-degree South Side Irish Parade we’ve ever endured, and it won’t be the last. At least it wasn’t raining.
More than 100 entries marched down a packed Western Avenue through the Beverly and Morgan Park neighborhoods. Highlights included WGN-TV’s Bronagh Tumulty, Dina Bair, Dean Richards, and Brother Rice alum and Evergreen Park resident Patrick Elwood, looking remarkably like retired meteorologist Tom Skilling after getting his head shaved for St. Baldrick’s.
Bozo also rode the WGN float, which seemed to excite a lot of older people lining Western Avenue.
Elizabeth French, mother of fallen CPD Ofcr. Ella French, walked with representatives from Light the Line, the first law enforcement mobile wellness unit serving the mental health needs unique to police officers, created in her daughter’s memory.
Neighborhood parishes and elementary schools were represented, including St Barnabas, St. Cajetan, St. John Fisher, Most Holy Redeemer, St. Linus, St. Gerald and St. Catherine of Alexandria.
The bands from St. Laurence, St. Rita, St. Leo, Marist, Brother Rice/McAuley, Bishop Noll and Thornton Fractional high schools dazzled.
The grand marshal of this year’s parade honored Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities of Chicagoland Northwest Indiana and parade honoree Smith Village, celebrating 100 years serving senior residents.
Making the parade more fun were the Windy City Ghostbusters, Chicago Blues Mobile, Chicago White Sox mascot Southpaw, the Chicago NASCAR pace car, police and fire honor guards, Mercy Home, St. Jude Knights Youth Hockey, Scabby and proud union locals, along with neighborhood businesses, including Joey’s Red Hots hurling hot dogs into the sidelines.
The parade is operated by the South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Heritage Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, where more than 100 volunteers work year-round to ensure this family-friendly celebration continues for future generations.
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