Thousands Cheer South Side Irish Parade In Snow

CHICAGO — “White Christmas” may have been more apropos for the 2025 South Side Irish Parade than “Danny Boy,” which will go down in the history books as the parade when it snowed. Still, Irish eyes smiled up down Western Avenue Sunday for the Wee Folks of Talman and Longwood’s 47th promenade through Beverly and Morgan Park.

The snow didn’t seem to bother the thousands of South Side residents resplendent in their green attire lining the Western Avenue. After all, it wasn’t the first parade when it snowed, and it won’t be the last.

More than 100 entries marched down a packed Western Avenue through the Beverly and Morgan Park neighborhoods, including eight pipe bands, the Irish American Alliance with their wet Irish wolf hounds, the Trinity and Weber School Irish dance schools, and the Consulate General of Ireland Consul General

The Stockyard Kilty Band marched ahead of Big Shoulders Fund, the grand marshal, followed by the parade honoree, Brother Rice High School’s Mount Sion program.

Many spectators became soaked 45 minutes into the parade, but Bozo’s flaming red coif remained miraculously dry on the WGN float.

Elizabeth French, mother of fallen Chicago police officer Ella French, walked with representatives from Light the Line, the first law enforcement mobile wellness unit serving the mental health needs unique to police officers, created in her daughter’s memory.

Neighborhood parishes and elementary schools were represented, including St. Barnabas, St. Cajetan, St.Gianna, St. John Fisher, Most Holy Redeemer, St. Linus, St. Gerald and St. Catherine of Alexandria.

The bands from St. Laurence, Leo, Marist and Brother Rice/McAuley dazzled.

Making the parade more fun were the Windy City Ghostbusters, Chicago Blues Mobile, Chicago White Sox mascot Southpaw, the Chicago NASCAR pace car, police and fire honor guards, Mercy Home, and proud union locals, along with neighborhood businesses.

The parade is operated by the South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Heritage Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, where more than 100 volunteers work year-round to ensure this family-friendly celebration continues for future generations.