Meet The Families Of The South Side Irish Parade

CHICAGO — The day of the South Side Irish Parade is more than a holiday for Irish families in the Beverly-Morgan Park neighborhood that surrounds the parade route. It is the holiday.

"It's our national holiday," Katie Hurley said while describing her family tradition.

For the past 40 years, countless families have set aside the final Sunday before St. Patrick's Day as a day to celebrate. On that day, traditions have been born and have continued to this day.

When neighborhood kids go away to college, they often come home at least twice a year: once for Christmas, and then again three months later for the parade.

Spending time with family is what makes the South Side Irish Parade so special. Here's a look at what the day means to a few families we spoke with at the Pre-Parade fundraiser last month.

Hurley Family

"We grew up on 112th and Campbell, right across from St. Cajetan where it all began. My brother is a priest in Chicago, Father Tom Hurley. Our parents still live across from St. Cajetan and we still go to their house every year. We love the fact that it is family-oriented.

We gather in the morning, we take my parents across the street for mass in the morning, go back to my parents' house for breakfast and brunch. Lately, if the weather is good, we will wheel our parents to the parade in their wheelchairs to see their nieces and nephews who are involved with various organizations."

- Katie Hurley

Fitzpatrick Family

The Fitzpatricks are a fourth-generation parade family.

"We go to our mom and dad's house at 112th and Oakley. We eat a lot of corned beef and potato salad. We walk in the parade with Biros Real Estate every year and my dad and brother play Irish music on the float.

This is a huge holiday. I was really sad the two years it went away. I cried...

We remember being in front of the gas station on 111th watching the parade from someone's shoulders."

- Mary Fitzpatrick

Foran Family

"We have our family over for lunch, go to the parade and then come back home after the parade. We've been going to the parade since it began. When the weather it is best, it is the most fun."

Fashingbauer Family

"We've enjoyed the South Side Irish Parade for years. We love the pre-parade party, it is a sign that winter is coming to an end.

We live just east of the parade route, like two houses. We serve three meals at our house that day. We start with breakfast and soda bread, then corned beef sandwiches from Winston's and have at least 25 appetizers on a table outside for people passing by.

St. Patrick's is always over once the parade is over."

- Janet Fashingbauer

Sheahan Family

"We've been in the parade since pretty close to the beginning. My mom had 50 grandkids and all of them have marched in the parade.

Some families have dissipated over the years, but we've stuck in it."

- Pat Sheahan

Drozd Family (pictured)

"We always take the Metra down after layering up—sporting all the green and flair we can! Our boys love the train ride in just as much as the parade. We walk down to the route, find a great spot, and cheer our hearts out. Their favorite groups involve bagpipes! We usually stop at Home Run Inn to grab a bite before heading back to the Metra. The boys want to race home to see if our Leprechaun trap has been successful!

We choose the south side parade because it really is kid and family friendly. They had a blast last year!"

- Megan Drozd

Did we miss your Parade Day family tradition? If you'd like us to share it, send it over to me by e-mail. tim.moran@patch.com