Shamrocks and shillelaghs will festoon the streets of Countryside as the city celebrates its second St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
The parade will step off at 1 p.m. on Sunday at 61st Street and Kensington Avenue. It will proceed through the neighborhood for about one mile and will end at 55th Place and Edgewood Avenue.
The proceeds from this year’s parade will be donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Gail Paul, city manager, said the juvenile diabetes foundation was selected because the illness affects many people including employees of the city who have relatives with the disease.
“There are quite a few people touched by diabetes in their families,” she said.
The grand marshal will be James Sweeney, president and business manager of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150, which is located in Countryside.
“Our public works and administrative employees are part of that union,” Paul said.
Parade organizers have already selected a parade queen. She is Abby Hurley of Countryside. Hurley attends St. Ignatius College Prep High School. She is involved in the youth ministry and is a member of the ping pong team.
Jessica Pulciani and Amy Fatora were chosen for the Queen’s Court. Both attend Lyons Township High School. Pulciani is on student council and the Eurythmics dance team. Fatora is a religious education classroom aide at St. Cletus Catholic Church and serves as a Eucharistic minister.
A princess is being added to the court this year. She is Caroline Hallett of Countryside. She is a student at Highlands Elementary School, and dances with Trinity Irish Dancers.
Paul said the queen was selected on the basis of several criteria including service to the community.
“We wanted someone who is active in their school, volunteers or does community service,” she said.
Paul said last this year’s parade will have more floats and participants.
“We had 40 entries last year. This year we will have 75, which is nearly double,” she said.
This year’s event will also include an after-party from 2 to 6 p.m. with free bus rides to participating establishments including Kenny’s Irish Pub, Flagg Creek Golf Course, The Spot on 66, Rafferty’s Irish Pub, Time Out, Ledo’s Pizza and Tavern on La Grange.
For more information on the parade, go to countryside-il.org.
More Top Picks Upright Vacuum
Twitter @triblocalam