Chicago is buzzing with excitement as St. Patrick’s Day celebrations continue. On Sunday, the city will host two more parades, adding to the festive spirit.
The parades are set to start at noon, with one taking place on the South Side and the other on the Northwest Side. Both events boast a rich history that spans several decades.
In the South Side, the quiet of early Sunday morning at 103rd Street and Western Avenue will soon give way to a vibrant celebration. Around 200,000 people are expected to gather for the 46th annual South Side Irish Parade.
The parade will feature bands, bagpipers, dancers, and floats, beginning at 103rd and Western and moving south to 115th Street, passing through Beverly and Morgan Park.
The idea for the South Side Irish Parade was born from a simple conversation between two neighbors reminiscing about the South Town Parade of their youth. This led to the inaugural parade in 1979, which saw 17 children pushing a shamrock-decorated baby buggy through the rain.
Today, that baby buggy remains a symbol of the parade, which has become a reunion event for many attendees.
Marianne Rowan Leslie, the parade’s chair, highlights the parade as a day of family reunions, where people catch up on each other’s lives. It’s a day filled with joy, community, and numerous parties throughout the neighborhood.
Leslie also points out the parade’s significant impact on local businesses, from bars and restaurants to home improvement stores.
This year, Ronald McDonald House Charities leads the parade as Grand Marshal, with Smith Village, a senior living community, being honored. Smith Village has been a part of the community for a century, with some residents having lived in the area since the parade’s inception.
Alice Keane, a resident of Smith Village, expresses her gratitude for the recognition and the sense of community it brings.
WGN-TV will participate in the parade with a float featuring several of its personalities, including Ray Cortopassi, Patrick Elwood, Dina Bair, Dean Richards, Bronagh Tumulty, Alyssa Donovan, and the iconic Bozo.
On the city’s other side, the Northwest Side Irish Parade also starts at noon, beginning at William J. Onahan School and making its way through Norwood Park. What started 21 years ago with just 200 attendees now draws a crowd of about 50,000.
Additionally, the Chicago River remains a vibrant green, a tradition that began in 1962. The Plumbers Local 130 UA’s secret dye formula has fascinated onlookers for years, with thousands gathering to watch the river transform.
The river’s green hue, once lasting a week, now returns to normal within 48 hours, but it continues to amaze both residents and visitors alike.
Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are a testament to the city’s rich cultural heritage and community spirit, bringing together people from all walks of life to share in the joy of the holiday.