South Side Irish Parade Celebrates Community, First Responders, and High School Champions

Despite early rain, the 48th annual parade honored St. Christina School's 100th anniversary and featured the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and local athletic champions.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 8:41pm

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The 48th annual South Side Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade in Beverly, Chicago faced early heavy rain, but the sun came out as the Chicago Stockyard Kilty Band led the parade. The parade honored St. Christina School's 100th anniversary, with 80% of its 487 students having parents who are first responders. The grand marshal was the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which helps fallen and injured officers and their families. The parade also featured local high school athletic champions, including state title-winning teams from Marist, Mount Carmel, Brother Rice, and St. Laurence.

Why it matters

The South Side Irish Parade is a longstanding community tradition that celebrates the area's Irish heritage, first responders, and athletic accomplishments. Despite the weather challenges, the parade's organizers were able to highlight important local institutions and honor those who serve the community.

The details

The parade featured 113 entries, including the reigning parade queen, Erin Larkin, who is an alumna of St. Christina School. The school was the parade's honoree, celebrating its 100th anniversary. Aric Grooms of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which provides mortgage-free homes for fallen and injured first responders and veterans, served as the grand marshal. The parade also featured a special entry honoring local high school athletic state champions, including teams from Marist, Mount Carmel, Brother Rice, and St. Laurence.

  • The 48th annual South Side Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade took place on March 15, 2026.
  • Heavy rain hit the parade route an hour before the start, but the sun came out at noon when the parade began.

The players

Erin Larkin

This year's South Side Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade queen, who is an alumna of St. Christina School.

St. Christina School

A Chicago school celebrating its 100th anniversary, with 80% of its 487 students having parents who are first responders.

Tunnel to Towers Foundation

A foundation that helps fallen and injured officers and their families, launched after the 9/11 attacks in honor of New York Fire Department's Stephen Siller.

Danny Golden

A Chicago police officer who was paralyzed from the waist down after being shot in 2022, and received a home courtesy of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

Brian Wilhelm

A New Lenox Army veteran who lost his right leg in Iraq in 2003, and is scheduled to have his house remodeled by the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

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What they’re saying

“It's a great school and this week I got to go back and talk to the student body, which was super-duper cool. It was cool to see the choir and they sounded phenomenal. They are still alive and well.”

— Erin Larkin, South Side Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade Queen (Chicago Tribune)

“When I woke up in the hospital after I got shot, my mom said ,'they are building you a house.'”

— Danny Golden, Chicago Police Officer (Chicago Tribune)

“Other organizations wanted to do something like this for me and I let my own pride get in the way. I didn't want to take what feels like a handout. Finally, a year and a half ago, I was talking to one of my friends about it and the problem is that I love my house and I don't want another house. I want my house. I reached out and they have been absolutely amazing.”

— Brian Wilhelm, New Lenox Army Veteran (Chicago Tribune)

What’s next

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation is scheduled to remodel the home of New Lenox Army veteran Brian Wilhelm, who lost his right leg in Iraq in 2003.

The takeaway

The South Side Irish Parade's ability to overcome weather challenges and highlight the community's first responders, athletic champions, and longstanding institutions like St. Christina School demonstrates the parade's enduring importance as a celebration of the area's resilience and values.