Couple Picked As Grand Marshals For St. Paddy’s Parade

ST. CHARLES, IL — A couple that has owned a St. Charles business for more than 48 years have been picked to serve as the grand marshals for the city’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Sue and Bob McDowell run McDowell Remodeling and recently announced their retirement, according to a news release from the St. Charles Business Alliance.

The McDowells are also very active in the community, another reason behind the duo being picked as grand marshals for the upcoming parade, according to the press release.

Sue plans the St. Charles Fine Art Show, which is celebrating its 22nd anniversary on Memorial Day Weekend, and Bob builds Santa’s House, which comes to the First Street Plaza beginning on the Holiday Homecoming weekend.

They have also been involved in the following organizations events and fundraisers: Lazarus House, St. Charles Heritage Center, Remodelers Advantage Roundtables, the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown St. Charles Partnership and St. Charles Business Alliance.

Sue said she and Bob were honored to learn they were this year’s grand marshals.

“We have been privileged to live in St. Charles and have a business here for over 48 years,” Sue said. “We are thrilled to be the Grand Marshals for the St. Patrick’s Parade this year, and have loved being at the kickoff of the Parades for the past 20 years. We are already practicing our parade wave, so we hope everyone will come out to see the parade this year.”

Thousands are expected to line Main Street for the parade, which steps off at 2 p.m. on March 14 at Main and 6th streets and continues down Main Street to 4th Avenue. The parade will include award-winning local marching bands and Celtic bands, elaborate and colorful floats and walking units of veterans.

While the St. Charles Business Alliance and its parade committee determine the grand marshal, their decision is based on the positive impact that a particular person, group, business or organization has made in downtown St. Charles.