The 25th annual Elmhurst St. Patrick’s Day Parade will step off at noon Saturday, beginning at Spring Road and Wilson Street and continuing north on Spring to end at the railroad tracks just south of St. Charles Road in front of Silverado Grill.
Sometimes called the second largest St. Pat’s parade in Illinois and described on its website — Home (elmhurststpatsparade.com) — as “the best parade in Chicagoland,” the parade draws dozens of entries from schools and civic groups to politicians and businesses.
Jim O’Connor, the longtime chair of the parade, calls the event “the happiest day in Elmhurst.” O’Connor credits the continuing success of the parade to its family-friendly atmosphere and support from such groups as units from the Medinah Shriners, the Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band, the firefighters of the Band of Brothers Pipes and Drums and the 15-member Elmhurst Armpit Orchestra and “Mary,” the orchestra’s “the world’s largest drum.”
While much about the parade is traditional, this year’s choice of Grand Marshal was anything but traditional. Since this is a print story, it can’t include a drumroll, but it would be appropriate to announce that for this year, the post of Grand Marshal will be held jointly by the Elmhurst Armpit Orchestra and their big bass drum, Mary.
“I threw the idea out,” O’Connor said, “and no one opposed it. They are a great addition to the parade.”
O’Connor cited the various Shriners units as another great addition. “They gave us credibility in our second year,” he said, “and they’ve been supporting us ever since.”
Shriners units participating this year include nearly a dozen units, including the Segway unit and the Flying Carpets.
Another new wrinkle this year, according to O’Connor, is that the parade will include four candidates for Illinois governor, all Republican. “I can’t say we’ve ever had that before,” he said.
As they have done in past years, 126 student athletes from Elmhurst University will serve as marshals on the parade route, helping with traffic and crowd control.
One suspenseful moment will come just before the parade steps off from Wilson Street. The Elmhurst Armpit Orchestra will announce its new queen.
“One minute before the parade starts,” said EAO spokesperson Jake Meding. “Just after the final tuning of the kazoos and other homemade instruments.”
O’Connor said he’s looking forward to a great parade, especially after COVID restrictions resulted in no parade last year. “I think if the weather is decent, the street’s going to be mobbed.”
Graydon Megan is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.