irish.lemon

So unless you’re a Chicagoan of Irish heritage or simply a resident of the South Side in the Beverly/Morgan Park area – as well as the other South Side neighborhoods densely populated with the Irish - you may not have heard the news that the South Side Irish Parade, which has been a neighborhood tradition for over 30 years and a Chicago landmark in and of itself since, has been canceled…indefinitely.  Here’s a press release from the South Side Irish Parade Committee dated Mar. 25, 2009:

For Immediate Release 25 Mar 2009

For confirmation contact Mary Beth Sheehan (773-393-8687)

RE: SOUTH SIDE IRISH ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE PLANS FOR 2010

Let this release serve as notice that the South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee is not planning to stage a parade in its present form in March of 2010.

This decision was not arrived at lightly. For 31 years, this parade was a staple of the Beverly/Morgan Park and Mt. Greenwood communities – a celebration of faith, family and heritage that was cherished by thousands. Founded in 1979 by the Hendry and Coakley families, it was intended to instill in this community an appreciation for the Irish heritage that so many of its residents share.

This parade was an eagerly anticipated annual event which celebrated families, many of whom have created decades long traditions that we hope will endure. But what began as a neighborhood parade is now an event of international proportions. More than 300,000 people typically flock to the Beverly area each year, and the sheer volume has become more than the neighborhood can reasonably accommodate. With these numbers comes a collection of issues that strain both the host community and those individuals charged with effectively managing the crowds. Additionally, the amount of resources required to launch the event has become overwhelming to the community.

The Committee would like to thank the tens of thousands of parade faithful who supported this event for more than 30 years. The multigenerational families who turned out along Western Avenue each year, along with the fine organizations featured in the Line of March, were the essence of what made this parade so special. We would also like to thank the Chicago Police Department for the effort they put into managing the ever-growing crowd while working to maintain the dignity of the event.

While we regret the need to alter such a fine tradition, the Committee feels that suspending the South Side Irish Parade in its present form is the just and responsible thing to do. It is our hope, however, that this will not mean an end to the neighborhood’s annual celebration. The Committee will work to create a series of alternate events that will return us to what the parade’s founders had in mind – a neighborhood-friendly celebration of Irish heritage. Please look for news of our plans later this year.

Thank you for your support,

The South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee

Now, I understand full-well that the parade has become a huge party over the years and an international attraction, but when you watch or read the reports about arrests made, it’s generally out-of-towners who are the perpetrators.  When I say “out-of-towners” I don’t mean people from surrounding suburbs, but from places as far as Arkansas as well as other regions in the Midwest.  So that’s how it’s playing out?  The out-of-towners are what’s contributing to the cancellation?  Supplementing reports also suggest that underage drinking at the event is an issue.  Tell me, where isn’t underage drinking an issue?

I do believe that the neighborhood’s integrity should be maintained in the sense of quelling vandalism where it may occur and stepping up police presence, but canceling the event altogether is a mistake.  The event began as a community event, and I have no doubt that it will be put on next year, perhaps illegally.  If it does, I guarantee there will not only be Chicagoans from the South Side, but all over the Chicagoland area to protest the decision.

Considering the volume of public outcry already, I have no doubt the issue

SSIP 25th Anniv. Poster

will continue a year from now.  It may fade with the onset of summer and the other festivities around the city, but I’m hoping the issue makes a resurgence during the summer Celtic Fest at Grant Park as well as the Irish Fest at Gaelic Park.  There’s already a Facebook group up and running – yes, of which I am a part – protesting and writing to city officials as well as committee heads to bring the parade back to Chicago.