Photo Gallery: South Side Irish Parade

The intersection of Catholicism, leprechauns and rumor play out in this boy\'s costume. He was one of thousands of kids on-hand at Sunday\'s festivities.

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart brought a float full of supporters, green beads and his political ambitions to the South Side St. Patrick\'s Day parade this year.

Marching bands from throughout the area came to perform a mixture of band favorites and Irish-inspired classics.

For one day per year, residents overlooking this portion of Western Ave. have something to look at other than beaten pavement and a somewhat gritty neighborhood.

Bagpipes and kilts aplenty this year - more than 10 groups came from throughout the city to perform in the parade.

Kids took advantage of the pedestrian-only street to ride all sorts of contraptions - from scooters to roller blades - along the parade route.

Alcohol-induced cheering was a frequent, loud component of the parade experience.

The star of Late Night Catechism, Cynthia Desmond, was on hand in her role as Sister. The play has been ongoing for at least 15 years in Chicago

People lined both sides of the street as parade goers passed out free gear from candy and green Mardi Gras beads to t-shirts and Frisbees.

The marching band from Marist High School had a spectacular running entrance - that few saw at the start of the parade - and there were only two casualties.

Irish dancers from all over the city came to show off their dancing skills.

This man, 90, still felt his Irish roots enough to stand outside for two hours watching the parade.

Every time a new group handing out a new trinket came by, the crowd started screaming. Chicago\'s finest were on hand to manage the crowds.

Many South Side union members brought their children and wives to participate in the parade.

This inexplicable horse-drawn hearse added a somber note to an otherwise gleeful parade.

Kate Gardiner/Chicagoist

Gaelic Park represented itself well, with a float and these young ladies.

Many members of Chicago\'s police and fire departments chose to participate in the parade. The South Side, and the Irish, are well-known for their contributions to Chicago\'s emergency and safety departments.

While the demographics of the neighborhood have shifted away from their typically Irish roots, students at Morgan Park High School still herald the neighborhood\'s heritage and the St. Patrick\'s Day parade.

Dancers from at least 10 troupes citywide came to the South Side to show off their Irish clogging skills.

This girl was waiting patiently at the start of the route for her float, one of the last in the parade, to get underway.