White Sox Bagpipers The Xavierite
On Sun. March 17 the South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Parade took place on 103rd and Western marching to 115th and Western. The parade was planned by the South Side Irish Parade Committee. People from surrounding neighborhoods attended and celebrated the holiday together.
Luis Corral Magallanes, Attendee, expressed, “It was a great exercise opportunity walking around through a wave of green.”
According to the World Population Review, the Irish population in Illinois is 11.16%. Chicago’s Beverly Neighborhood is one of the longest-standing Irish communities in Chicago according to Choose Chicago.
Bagpipers, dancers, floats, horses, bands, etc. all participated in the parade. Some businesses gave stuff to the parade attendees including; Canes and Joey’s Red Hots.
The South Side Irish Parade is considered the largest community-based parade outside Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day. It is dedicated to celebrating Irish heritage in the community.
According to Choose Chicago, The celebration has been a tradition since 1979 when two neighbors thought kids needed a way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. 17 children pushed around a baby buggy that was decorated with shamrocks. The first route used was down Western Avenue in 1981 and is the same to this day.
The parade lasted about 2 hours. The parade committee voiced having a zero tolerance of any drunkenness or behavior out of line of family values.
Attendees explained enjoying and attending to celebrate even if they themselves were of a different heritage.
“I thought it was very lively and a fun celebration of my Irish heritage. It was a great celebration and included people from all different cultures as well,” says student Emerson Grace Murphy.
Another St. Patrick’s Day event that is popular in the city of Chicago is the Chicago Green River Dyeing. Each year the River Dye is located on Columbus Drive between Balbo Drive and Monroe Drive.
In 1962 the Chicago River was dyed for the first time in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. March 16, 2024 marked the 69th annual St. Patricks River Dye in Chicago, Illinois. Each year the river dyeing normally starts around 10 a.m. and the environmentally friendly dye starts to fade after a few hours.
Chicago’s Parade is one of the largest St. Patrick’s Parade in the United States. Attendees normally dress in festive clothing, green and clovers being the most worn design and color for the holiday. Thousands of Chicagoans attend each year.
Chicago’s river cruises are a popular activity for the river dye. Cruises offer a first hand view of the dyeing and include Irish foods, music and themed drinks.
Some cruises offered are; the St. Patrick’s Day Clover Cruise, St. Patrick’s Day Cruise, Architecture River Cruise, Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day Bottomless Mimosa Brunch Cruise, and Rent your own electric boat.
Restaurants and businesses decorate and create an environment celebrating the holiday. Some restaurants create seasonal drinks and food for people to stop and enjoy as they walk the river.
Corned beef and cabbage, Shamrock Shakes, and Guinness, are offered at different locations for St. Patrick’s Day specials.
St. Patrick’s Day has been a tradition and holiday since the ninth and tenth centuries and is still celebrated to this day.
For more information pertaining to the South Side Irish Parade visit southsideirishparade.org.
*This article was edited on March 25 at 1:57 p.m. to correct the location that the parade ended at.*
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