South Side Irish Parade Gets Fest Treatment
By Marcus Gilmer in News on Dec 24, 2009 5:30PM
We all remember the controversy over the South Side Irish Parade that occurred after this year's event grew unwieldy to organizers who canceled the parade. All sorts of ideas where suggested, including moving the parade to the suburbs. Now, the planning committee is bringing the celebration back, albeit in a slightly altered, longer form. In lieu of a parade will be a 10-day festival which will encompass many Irish-themed events and one large fest day in place of the traditional parade. According to the Sun-Times:
The 10-day celebration will kick off with the Chicago Irish Film Festival at the Beverly Arts Center March 5-10. The Chicago Rose of Tralee competition will take place March 12.The marquee event, the South Side Irish Parade Fest, will take place March 13 inside and on the grounds of the arts center, 2407 W. 111th St., Chicago.
The Irish Mass at St. Cajetan Church will take place March 14, followed by a blessing and reception at the arts center.
Planning committee member Mary Beth Sheehan said, "It's been a really challenging process. It's a whole different animal planning an event from start to finish."