The 48th South Side Irish Parade will begin at noon Sunday, stepping off from 103rd and Western Avenue, according to an announcement on Mar. 12. The annual event, held the Sunday before St. Patrick’s Day, is expected to draw large crowds and feature more than 100 participants.
The parade is a significant community tradition that celebrates Irish heritage and culture in the area. Founded in Morgan Park in 1979 by George Hendry and Pat Coakley, the parade has grown from a small neighborhood march of children known as the Wee Folks of Washtenaw and Talman into a major event along Western Avenue.
This year’s grand marshal is the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, while St. Christina Parish in Mount Greenwood has been named parade honoree. Both were selected by the parade committee for their impact on the community. The committee announced these honorees during a ceremony at King-Lockhart Park in Beverly.
Erin Larkin, who was born and raised in Mount Greenwood and works as a children’s therapist, was chosen as this year’s parade queen. Larkin will ride through the route waving to spectators. Musical performances will include five pipe bands led by the Chicago Stockyard Kilty Band, six local high school marching bands, and the 484th Army band.
Floats will begin staging at 9 a.m., with a ribbon-cutting scheduled for 11:45 a.m., ahead of the noon start time. Last year’s event drew an estimated 77,000 people. Local businesses along Western Avenue plan to open early for visitors attending the festivities.
Travel restrictions are planned for Sunday: no street parking will be allowed on Western Avenue from 99th to 119th streets starting at 6 a.m., with additional parking bans on nearby streets beginning at 7 a.m., and traffic restrictions on east/west streets leading to Western Avenue starting at 9 a.m. These are expected to be lifted by 3 p.m. Spectators are encouraged to walk or use Metra’s extra service on the Rock Island Line due to limited parking.
Security measures include checkpoints staffed by private security and police officers who will enforce rules against public drinking along the route. Over 190 portable toilets will be available throughout the area according to organizers.
The South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee works with city officials and local groups each year to ensure that the celebration remains safe and family-friendly.
