You Need to Attend the 16th Annual St. Pat's Parade Saturday if for No Other Reason Than This

Back in February 2009, Elmhurst St. Patrick’s Day Parade Chairman Jim O’Connor mentioned to some friends at an Elmhurst couple’s wedding reception that the parade needed another unit to entertain adults and children, alike. 

And thus, the Elmhurst Armpit Orchestra was born. 

EAO founders envisioned the all-male kazoo and bucket-drum band dressed in native-suburban male garb (shorts, tall socks, sleeveless T-shirts and sunglasses). Over the next several weeks the EAO’s numbers grew to more than 25 members. They were an immediate hit!

Playing such standards as “Yankee Doodle,” “The Colonel Bogey March” and “When the Saints Go Marching In,” the EAO looks forward to entertaining parade goers for the fourth straight year beginning at , on Spring Road.

In addition to the requisite kazoos and bucket drums, the orchestra features the washboard, pot lid, cowbell and, new this year, the vuvuzela. (For those unfamiliar, the vuvuzela is a long plastic, monotone horn featured as a noisemaker at international sporting events.)

“EAO members hail from many different professions," said group co-founder Scott Sutherland. "The group includes attorneys, funeral directors, bankers, technology professionals, handymen, retirees, fund-raisers, insurance professionals and auto repair shop owners. It has grown to more than 35 members. The Elmhurst Armpit Orchestra is always looking for a few good men.” 

For more information, email eao@communityelmhurst.com.