South Side Irish Parade Organizers Crown Queen

The South Side Irish Parade Committee announces Mary Kate Love as the 2015 South Side Irish Parade Queen. Love, 27, is from Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood and currently works at new Chicago start up UI Labs.

Love was one of six candidates who took part in the selection process held during the South Side Irish Pre-Parade fundraising party on Saturday, February 21 at 115 Bourbon Street raising funds to support the annual march down Western Avenue.

“My Irish heritage has always been an integral part of who I am and I am honored to be the 2015 South Side Irish Parade Queen,” said Love. “I’m also proud to say I have never missed a South Side Irish Parade in my entire life and can’t wait to be in this year’s parade.” 

The Queen will be prominently featured in the South Side Irish Parade and will also ride in the downtown Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

All Parade queen candidates were interviewed individually by a panel of independent judges including Mary Kay Gavin-Marmo, Executive Director of Chicago Rose of Tralee, Kathy Zofkie member of the Chicago Rose of Tralee Committee and Margaret McGann, the 2013 South Side Irish Queen. Prior to the announcement, the South Side Irish Parade Queen hopefuls helped sell raffle tickets during the fundraiser.

“We are so thrilled to have Mary Kate wear our crown as the 2015 South Side Irish Parade Queen,” said Mary Kay Gavin-Marmo. “We had six excellent candidates this year. Our judges interviewed all of the candidates and selected Mary Kate as this year’s honoree,” added Marmo.

The South Side Irish Parade Queen will also receive sponsorship from the South Side Irish Parade Committee to compete in the Chicago Rose of Tralee Selection as the South Side Irish Rose. This selection process will take place on March 22, 2015 at Gaelic Park.

The mission of the Chicago Rose of Tralee is to provide enrichment opportunities that will encourage young women of Irish descent to be exemplary role models for tomorrow’s youth and to make a positive difference in the world. The winner of the Chicago Rose of Tralee will receive an all-expense paid trip to Ireland for an experience of a lifetime and represent Chicago in a two-night televised event in Tralee, Ireland. For more information or application for the Chicago Rose of Tralee visit www.chicagoroseoftralee.com .

The 2015 South Side Irish Parade will step off at noon on Sunday, March 15 at 103rd Street and Western Avenue. Despite below freezing temperature, the 2014 parade featured 100 entries and attracted more than 125,000 spectators. The zero tolerance alcohol policy will remain in strict force to ensure a continued safe, family-friendly celebration of community and Irish heritage.

The Irish American Labor Council (IALC) will serve as the Grand Marshal for the 2015 South Side Irish Parade. A committee of the AFL-CIO, the IALC is focused on improving and promoting social and community welfare. The council also participates in issues of importance to Irish Immigrants in Chicago.

The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation (CPMF) is the 2015 Honoree. The not-for-profit organization is dedicated to honoring the lives of our fallen heroes. The foundation provides support and assistance to the families of Chicago police officers who are killed or catastrophically injured in the line of duty.

Parade merchandise can also be purchased at South Side Irish Imports. South Side Irish Parade gear will be available at both their Chicago and Tinley Park locations. For every piece of South Side Irish Parade merchandise sold in stores, South Side Irish Imports will donate $1 to the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation.

The Emerald Isle Mile continues to be part of the family friendly South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade pre-activities. The one-mile run will begin at 11:00 a.m. the morning of the parade at 112th and Western Ave and end at Running Excels, located at 104th and Western Avenue near the Parade’s stepping off point. Registration for the race is available online or at the South Side Irish Parade Pre-Parade Fundraiser.