Know Before You Go: Tinley Park Irish Parade Expected To Draw 40,000

TINLEY PARK, IL — Got your green garb ready? The Village's 25th annual Tinley Park Irish Parade takes to Oak Park Avenue Sunday, March 9.

Set to step off at 1 p.m., the parade will feature 90 floats, walking groups, and vehicles. The route travels from 179th Street north to the Subway parking lot at 17219 S. Oak Park Ave.

Andrew High School staff members Jeff Keane and John Tadla will return to announce the parade. This year's judges include Jackie Krupko, an art teacher at Helen Keller School; Fulton Elementary School Principal Megan Mitera; and Rebecca Santana of the Alzheimer's Association.

With Sunday's forecast calling for 55 degrees and sunny skies, Village officials are expecting the event to draw 40,000 spectators, Mayor Michael Glotz said Friday.

Parade-goers are encouraged to stop by the newly resurrected Teehan's Tavern, 17329 Oak Park Ave., a beloved watering hole rebuilt after the demolition of the previous 171-year-old structure less than a year ago.

“Generations of people have walked through Teehan’s doors since it opened more than a century ago, and it’s exciting to continue that tradition with this new incarnation,” Mayor Michael Glotz said.

“We hope people enjoy making memories here as we continue to honor Teehan’s long and lasting legacy here in Tinley Park.”

Village Manager Pat Carr lauded the reconstruction of a Tinley Park classic.

"This project was a long time in the making,” Village Manager Pat Carr said. “It was truly a team effort, from our Community Development, Public Works and Finance staff, to all of our contractors and subcontractors, to the initial designs by the Lakota Group. Teehan’s and Harmony Square were part of a shared vision that we’re finally seeing come to fruition.”

A ribboncutting for Teehan's is planned for March 17 at 5:30 p.m., Glotz announced. A ribboncutting for Durbin's, the restaurant portion of the building, is planned for March 21.

Street closures

A heads-up that starting at 11:30 a.m. on parade day, Oak Park Avenue will be closed from 183rd to 179th streets.

Starting at 12:30 p.m. to approximately 4 p.m., Oak Park Avenue will be closed through 171st Street. In addition, there will be no eastbound traffic allowed on 171st Street at Oak Park Avenue from 1:15 p.m. until the completion of the parade. 172nd Street will also be closed for the duration of the parade.

In addition to the street closure, the western end of the Oak Park Avenue train station parking lot will be closed starting the evening of Thursday, March 6 through Monday morning, March 10. All other areas of the Oak Park Avenue train station parking lot will remain open for both commuter and event parking.