St. Patrick's Day Parades in Illinois

St. Patrick was a Catholic Saint who lived in Ireland in the 1300's. In Ireland, St. Patrick's Day was commemorated as a solemn religious ceremony for many years. The St. Patrick's Day Parade was born in the United States as a show of political power for the Unions. Today, the religious and political origins of St. Patrick's Day are not very obvious. St. Paddy's Day is filled with frivolity, parties and lots of green beer.

St. Pat's Day Parades, large and small, can be found in Chicago and around the State of Illinois. The two parades held in Chicago are among the largest in the nation, St. Pat's is a day filled with marching bands, music, pub crawls, corned beef and cabbage, green beer and Irish Whiskey.

St. Patrick's Day is on March 17, which falls on a Monday this year. Most of the parades are held on the Saturday before the actual holiday, although some are held a week or two earlier. Following are some of the St. Pat's Parades being held in Illinois this year.

St. Pat's South Side Irish, St. Cajetan Church, 3400 W. 111th Street, Chicago, Saturday, March 8
The South Side Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade is an annual celebration of faith and heritage.This parade and street party draws a crowd of 325,000.

St. Pat's Day Parade, City of Chicago, March, 15
A full day of events include dyeing the Chicago River Emerald Green, a parade through the city and music at Navy Pier. The Chicago River is transformed at 10:45 am.

Springfield St. Patrick's Day Parade, Springfield, IL, March 15
Parade in the State Capitol starts at noon in downtown Springfield. Over 1,200 student musicians will participate in the parade.
At least ten competing high school bands and four non-competing grammar school bands are expected to march. The parade will be filled with banks, float and other great entries. Free helium balloons will be handed out to children on the parade route.