Mt. Greenwood Native With Musical Roots, Erin Larkin, Named South Side Irish Parade Queen

CHICAGO — A born-and-raised South Sider has been chosen queen of the South Side Irish Parade for 2026. Erin Larkin was selected by the parade committee for her deep roots in Chicago’s Irish community. The parade will step off at noon Sunday, March 15.

Larkin’s family is the Larkin and Moran Brothers, a traditional Irish band that is comprised of her father, Mike Larkin, also a Chicago Fire Department captain and his brothers, plus her mother, Jean Moran Larkin’s side. Larkin grew up surrounded by music from an early age and enjoyed attending Irish festivals and performances around the city. Larkin credits those experiences with shaping her strong connection to Irish culture and community traditions.

“Erin is originally from St. Christina Parish, the Parade Honoree this year, and holds the parade in a special place in her heart,” said Mary Kay Gavin-Marmo, director of the South Side Irish Parade Queen Contest. “We are thrilled to have her serve as this year’s Parade Queen.”

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Larkin grew up in Chicago’s Mount Greenwood neighborhood, where her family still resides. Larkin is an alumna of Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School and currently works as a children’s therapist. Music has remained a central part of her life, both personally and professionally, and continues to influence the way she engages with her community. She often brings her love of music into her professional work, using music as a tool to connect with young clients and making therapy feel more comfortable and relatable.

“I am so excited to represent the South Side as the Parade Queen even more meaningful to learn that St. Christina Parish is the Parade Honoree this year,” Larkin said “ St. Patrick’s Day events are a big part of my identity, my college roommate, my fiance, everyone knows that this is my favorite holiday.”

This was Larkin’s second time entering the South Side Irish Parade queen selection. She credits her late grandmother, Dorothy Larkin, who recently passed away, for her encouragement to try again.

“I also thank my family for raising me to be so close to my Irish roots,” she said.

Larkin shared that some of her favorite memories of the South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade are being surrounded by family, friends, and neighbors, plus seeing familiar faces return year after year.

“You’ll see everyone’s cousins, everyone is running into everybody” she said. “I love that sense of community and that sense of home that comes along with the parade. It’s going to be an extremely fun day and we’re praying for good weather.”

The South Side Irish Parade Queen is invited to choose their favorite charity to fundraise for during their term. In honor of Larkin’s grandmother, she chooses to support Alzheimer’s disease and will have events planned to take place post-parade and throughout the year.