Elmhurst parade ushers in St. Patrick's Day with humor, tradition
At 9 feet in diameter, a drum billed as the "world's largest" will provide percussion Saturday when kazoo-playing members of the World Famous Elmhurst Armpit Orchestra march through downtown Elmhurst in the 21st annual Elmhurst St. Patrick's Day Parade.
The drum's name, by the way, is Mary, though it has a large picture of actor Bill Murray on it. The image is testimony to the armpit orchestra's so-far-unsuccessful attempts to lure the entertainer to the parade. The armpit orchestra, a ragtag collection of uncommonly dressed music makers, credits Murray as members' comedic inspiration.
Even if Murray doesn't make Elmhurst's parade again this year, lots of other folks are expected to be in attendance, said Jim O'Connor, parade chairman.
"Last year, they said there were 20,000 people in the street," he said.
With 140 parade entries lined up, the march through the city's downtown will feature nine Medinah Shriner units, Irish dancers, Irish pipe bands, floats, school marching bands, community groups, the Elmhurst Police Department, charity organizations and politicians.
"Gov. (Bruce) Rauner is coming," O'Connor said. "He's been here the last two years."
Elmhurst Mayor Steve Morley will serve as grand marshal, he said.
And the Elmhurst businessmen who transform for the day into the Elmhurst Armpit Orchestra, in all their boxer shorts-wearing glory, will perform.
"They only know two songs," said O'Connor, who, despite his orchestra membership, said he couldn't recall the two titles.
O'Connor is similarly cagey on the subject of a parade queen.
"There's no queen of the parade," he said. "Fought that."
In the past, he said, a queen has been chosen but the name kept secret and revealed on the spot.
"These are all housewives who don't know they're going to be pulled out of the crowd. They don't really like it," he said. "My wife was the queen the first year."
O'Connor said he didn't influence that inaugural parade queen decision.
"I had nothing to do with it," he said.
Tiny pink shamrocks decorating Mary the drum will represent donations made to Elmhurst Hospital's Infusion Center in honor of Colleen Sutherland, who last fall died of breast cancer. Sutherland and her husband, Scott, were the longtime hosts of a pre-parade gathering for the men of the Elmhurst Armpit Orchestra and their families, said parade committee member Rich Reichert, president and CEO of Community Bank of Elmhurst.
Information about making donations is available on the parade website at elmhurststpatsparade.com. Shamrocks also will be for sale Saturday in front of Ahlgrim Funeral Home on Spring Road.
Reichert said Sutherland's memory will be honored with a Distinguished Service Award from the orchestra.
Parade spectators can look forward to a new service this year: free rides provided by Elmhurst Trolley, said city spokeswoman Maura El Metennani. Rides will be available before and after the parade at six stops: York Road at Park Avenue; York at Schiller Street; York at Vallette Street; Second Street at Addison Street; Cottage Hill Avenue and Virginia Street; and Spring Road at the Illinois Prairie Path. Trolley service will be suspended during the parade.
El Metennani said the parade will begin at noon at Wilson Street and Spring Road and march north on Spring Road. The parade should last about two hours, O'Connor said.
"The warmer the day, the longer it takes because people walk more slowly," he said. "It's the happiest day in Elmhurst."
If you go
What: 21st annual Elmhurst St. Patrick's Day Parade
When: Noon Saturday, March 4
Where: Spring Road north from Wilson Avenue, Elmhurst
Cost: Free
Info: elmhurststpatsparade.com