CHICAGO (WLS) — Saint Patrick’s Day may be Monday, but the celebrations were already in full swing this weekend.
From the city to the suburbs, Chicagoland turned green today with big parades, bringing plenty of Irish music, dancing, and of course, pride.
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St. Patrick’s Day celebrations continued Sunday, where it was all about neighborhood pride.
The Northwest Side St. Patrick’s Day Parade began in Norwood Park for the 22nd consecutive year, a tradition initiated by Brian Murray’s family to honor their late mother.
The event has become a favorite time of year in the community.
“We’ve gone from 5,000 spectators, when you go down these streets, to northwest highway, they’re jam packed,” Murray said.
While many in the crowd were honoring their Irish heritage, they said the parade is for anyone who wants to celebrate.
‘We need continue to bring diversity and continue traditions,” said Tamera Guilinger with Mid-America Regional Council of Carpenters Local.
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Running simultaneously on Sunday, the South Side Irish Parade, held in a different part of the city, also drew large crowds, including many long-time attendees.
“It’s something to do,” parade spectator Joe Blumenthal said. “It’s a good community event. It gets all the businesses involved.”
There were also non-traditional participants embracing the Irish spirit for the occasion, such as members of the Chicago Red Line Ice Skating Team from Morgan Park, who were thrilled to be part of the celebrations.
“It’s great to be a part of the activity that’s in the community and then come out and join the community in a celebration like this,” said Danielle Bell with the Chicago Red Line Ice Skating Team. “We’re proud to be the South Side ice skating team.”
Both parades had wintry weather in common, as did Aurora’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, but the snow flurries couldn’t freeze the Irish spirit on display as spectators celebrated the raising of the Irish flag.
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