South Side Irish Parade Plans Pre-Parade Fundraisers

CHICAGO – The South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be making its triumphant return after a twp-year pandemic pause on Sunday, March 13. The parade committee has chosen “Thankful for Cathodic Elementary School Teachers” as the Grand Marshal for 2022. Catholic educators had been set to receive this honor in 2022, so finally, they will be recognized, and after these past few weeks in the neighborhood, they certainly deserve it.

The committee appreciates the hardworking teachers who educate Chicago’s Catholic school students, particularly during these challenging times. The Grand Marshal unit will feature local area Catholic schools led by their school principals, teachers and staff. The family-friendly parade will step off at noon Sunday, March 13 at 103rd and Western Avenue.

“Our local Catholic elementary school teachers and students represent the themes that we hold dear and are worthy of the Grand Marshall moniker again for 2022,” said Don Larisey, co-chair of the South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade. “We are also pleased to honor the Tom Hopkins Foundation and to announce Bailey O’Connell as our Parade Queen for 2022. We are a family-friendly event, and we are very happy to be celebrating our community once again.”

The Tom Hopkins Foundation, founded by the children of Tom Hopkins, or “Papa Hops”, strives to assist families affected by cancer and to support youth athletics.

Parade Queen Bailey O’Connell, who had been selected in 2020 grew up in Mount Greenwood and is an alumna of Mount Greenwood Elementary and Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School. The South Side Irish Parade Queen will receive sponsorship from the South Side Irish Parade Committee to compete in the Chicago Rose of Tralee Selection as the South Side Irish Rose. 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 South Side Irish Parade was created on the themes of faith, family, community and Irish heritage. We are very happy to be back this year and be assured that we will be following health and safety guidelines from our Public Health officials,” adds Larisey.

Pre-parade fundraising activities to help offset the costs of operating the annual march down Western Avenue. This year the Committee launches three different ways to help show your support: Passport to the Parade; Tradition Marches On Yard Signs and Home Decorating Contest.

Passport to Parade on Saturday, Feb. 26, several area businesses will offer a ‘Passport to Parade Special” that may include complimentary or discounted food, beverages, goods or services. Participating businesses include Barney Callaghans Pub, Barraco’s Pizza, Cork & Kerry, Dingers Sports Bar, Horse Thief Hollow Craft Brewery & Gastropub, Ken’s on Western, McNally’s, Open OutCry Brewing Co., Running Excels, South Side Irish Import and, Swanson’s Deli. Each participating business will create its own special Passport to the Parade offer that will be posted on the South Side Irish Parade website Passport holders will be automatically entered into a raffle drawing for the three prizes consisting of area business gift cards valued at $1000 each.

Passport to Parade cost $25 each and is available for purchase in advance at County Fair Foods, or online via the South Side Irish Parade website.

Tradition Marches On Yard Signs let you show your support by purchasing them for $20 each. Yard signs will be available for ordering on the parade website and/or at area pick-up locations, which will be posted on the parade website.

South Side Tradition Marches On Home Decorating Contest returns for a second year. All are invited to decorate the outside of their house showcasing their best Irish theme. Show your Irish side and support the parade by entering the home decorating contest. Each participant will receive a Tradition Marches On yard sign that should be incorporated into your outdoor decoration. Cost to enter is $20 and applications will be available on the parade website Once you’ve decked out your house, simply take a photo or make a 10-second video and upload your creativity onto the link found on the parade website. Winners will be chosen through online voting.

Participants in both the Tradition Marches On yard signs and Home Decorating Contest will also be entered into the raffle for area business gift certificates.