BEVERLY — The annual fundraiser that helps pay for the South Side Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade will take place from 6-11 p.m. Feb. 25 at 115 Bourbon St. in suburban Merrionette Park.
The pre-parade fundraiser features raffles, a silent auction and the crowning of the South Side Irish Parade Queen. Tickets cost $30 when bought online in advance or $40 at the door. Admission also includes a dinner buffet, draft beer and wine.
The event will feature several varieties of live Irish music. The Larkin and Moran Brothers and Sean and Charlie will perform inside the main hall. Meanwhile, traditional Irish music sessions will be performed in The Saloon.
“The pre-parade fundraiser has become a can’t miss event as we kick off festivities surrounding the South Side Irish Parade,” said Jeannie Kovak, co-chairwoman of the parade committee.
“Our parade is the largest neighborhood-based St. Patrick’s Day Parade outside of Ireland, and the money raised at this event is critical in order to keep our celebration of faith, family, community and Irish heritage marching on,” Kovak said.
Pint glasses, stemless wine glasses and toasting glasses with the parade logo will be sold along with parade-day apparel from South Side Irish Imports at 3446 W. 111th St. in Mount Greenwood.
Parade organizers will also be selling custom street pole banners at the party. These banners typically feature the names of neighborhood families and businesses. They are known to line the parade route on Western Avenue from 103rd to 115th streets.
The parade will step off at noon March 12. The pre-parade fundraiser helps pay for added security as well as portable restrooms and other amenities intended to help the day run smoothly.
Also returning in 2017, the Emerald Isle Mile is a one-mile race that sends runners along a portion of the parade route. The run begins at 11:30 a.m. on parade day at 104th Street and Western Avenue.
The race ends at 112th Street. For more information about the run, contact event coordinator Running Excels at 773-629-8587 or visit the Beverly running store's website.
Those interested in applying to become parade queen should visit the Chicago Rose of Tralee's website. All applicants must be of Irish descent between ages 18-27.
And for more information about the parade, visit its website.
