Green shirts and festive spirits filled the streets as the City of Countryside held its annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 1. The date marked the earliest the parade was ever held and despite the dry 30-degree temperature and winds reaching up to 20 mph, the chilly weather did not stop crowds from relishing neighborhood pride.
“This is a great event to have everyone come out to enjoy and celebrate Irish culture together as a community,” Countryside Mayor Sean McDermott said. “It may be cold but it sure is a beautiful day.”
This year’s grand marshal was John Fitzgerald, who retired in December after serving as the city engineer for 23 years. Fitzgerald, the son of Irish immigrants from County Cork, proudly led the parade, which has become a cherished tradition in the community.
The parade featured, not only McDermott and Fitzgerald, but also an array of colorful floats, local organizations and city officials, marching bands, and Irish dancers, delighting the enthusiastic spectators who braved the cold. The lively atmosphere was filled with music, laughter, and plenty of green.
“It’s always so much fun coming out and seeing the parade and getting the family outside and enjoying the fresh air,” Mairead Gallen, of Oak Lawn, said.
Adding to the excitement, Kaitlin O’Brien, 17, of La Grange, was crowned St. Patrick’s Day Parade queen during Wednesday’s Countryside City Council meeting. A junior at Lyons Township High School, O’Brien is passionate about softball, enjoys baking, and dedicates time to volunteering at the St. Cletus Food Pantry.
Having previously taught the queen at St. Cletus Catholic School, Tina Marie Flickinger could not have been happier to see her wearing the crown.
“I knew her since she was in preschool,” Flickinger, of La Grange, said. “I’m so proud to see how far she’s come and everything she has accomplished.”
To accommodate revelers, a free shuttle bus transported attendees between various parade-sponsoring establishments. The shuttle ran most of the day on Saturday, making stops at Local 150, Flagg Creek Golf Course, Rafferty’s Irish Pub, Uncle John’s Sports Bar & Grill, The Mood, and Wolf’s Head Restaurant & Bar. Each venue offered special deals, including $2 tacos and $5 margaritas at Uncle John’s.
Beyond the festivities, the parade continued its tradition of supporting charitable causes, raising more than $100,000 over the past eight years for local organizations.
“The parade brings a lot of revenue into our entire community,” McDermott said.
With strong community support, this year’s parade proved to be another memorable celebration of Irish pride, local generosity, and spirited fun.
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