Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee Looking To Crown 2023 Queen

CHICAGO — You, too, can be the queen of the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade committee is conducting a Chicago-area search for the 2023 queen. The deadline to enter is noon, Jan. 3.

The contest is open to any young woman of Irish ancestry, never married and between the ages of 18 to 29. Complete the application and send a snapshot with name, age, address, phone number and brief biography and explanation of on why you would like to be queen. There is a $25 fee that can be paid online at Chicago St. Pats Parade, or by check, payable to Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The queen will be chosen Sunday, Jan. 16, in the Stephen M. Bailey Auditorium at Plumbers Hall, 1340 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago. Registration begins promptly at 10 a.m., followed by the contest, which starts at noon. Semiformal dress is preferable, but please, no cocktail dresses, formals or pants.

All contestants will participate in the first two rounds; in the third round 40 contestants will participate, followed by the fourth round with 10 contestants remaining. The queen will be selected out of the last five contestants, with the remaining four serving on the queen’s court. There are approximately 20 to 24 judges.

The queen and her court are required to be available to attend various functions for the two weeks prior to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, as well as be invited to appear at many events throughout the year. The Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade, sponsored by Plumbers Local 130A, will step off at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 11. The theme of the 2023 parade is "Recognizing Workers' Rights."