Nearly 1,000 people will be marching through the streets of East Dundee come 11 a.m. Saturday when the Thom McNamee Memorial St. Patrick’s Parade steps off for another year, organizer Eileen McNameee said.
Among them will be staff from the village and crews from two businesses that are long-time veterans of the event: Flood Brothers Disposal Co., which has been part of the parade since 2013, and Flood’s Royal Flush, a portable bathroom company, which has participated annually starting in 2017.
Flood Brothers, providing its services to East Dundee since 2012, has been involved with parades of all sorts throughout the Chicago area for almost 40 years, the first being Chicago’s South Side Irish Parade back in 1988, said Bill Flood, whose family owns the company.
They were also part of the downtown Chicago St. Patrick’s Parade lineup from 2018 through 2023 and the North Side Irish Parade from 2020 to the present, Flood said.
In East Dundee, Flood Brothers will once again have two units. One is a garbage truck that’s typically the last vehicle to roll along the parade route and the other a truck set up as a float from which riders will use a cannon to shoot small, soft toy footballs and baseballs to parade watchers.
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“That’s a real crowd-pleaser,” Flood said.
The single biggest challenge navigating a parade route, particularly for a driver, is managing crowd control and unpredictable pedestrian behavior, he said.
“Dense crowds with people crossing unexpectedly makes it difficult to maintain a steady pace. Avoiding children, pets or excited spectators can be the safety hazard,” Flood said.
Another challenge is having Eileen McNamee chase around after them on her four-wheeler as she tries to get the entries into the correct lineup order, he said.
“Our float has been moved on occasion,” Flood said with a laugh. “Jokes aside, the parade has provided great memories of having family members and employees participate and grow through the years.”
Flood’s most cherished memory is having a parade award named in honor of his parents, he said. The William and Carol Flood Team Spirit Award was presented to the School of Rock Barrington last year.
Participating in any parade, especially a St. Patrick’s Day parade, brings a unique sense of joy and community spirit, Flood said.
“The smiles of children along the route and the cheers from the crowd make the work with preparation feel worthwhile,” he said. “There is a special pride in being part of something bigger. The lively atmosphere, with music, laughter and a sea of green creates an energy that’s contagious.”
Katherine Diehl, East Dundee’s village clerk and special events coordinator, seconded those feelings.
“It’s rewarding to see the event grow over the years and become a highlight for our town, while creating lasting memories for attendees,” said Diehl,who has been coordinating the parade since 2022.
“I love that the memory of Thom McNamee, the founder of the parade, is celebrated through the enduring spirit of the event each year,” she said.
Diehl works with Eileen McNamee and the committee of volunteers and village staff, which includes the town’s police, fire and public works departments, on getting things in order for parade day. Her duties include making sure the right streets are closed, barricades are put up, portable restrooms available, and public safety measures and other logistical details completed, she said.
She also promotes the event through the village’s Facebook page, e-newsletter and electronic sign.
“I walked in the parade last year, handing out candy and community event postcards,” Diehl said. “It was fun to see the joy and excitement on the faces of the attendees. Rain or shine or sometimes snow, everyone looks forward to this annual event and shows up with enthusiasm.”
Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.