Get our your Irish uniform for annual St. Patrick's Day parade

The Houlihans, their relatives and friends are a particularly tight-knit group.

This year, just like every year for at least the past five, the Oswego clan and their buddies will be back in Naperville for St. Patrick's Day and the 90-minute march downtown in the annual St. Patrick's Day parade.

The family's bond is so strong that clan member Tim Houlihan expects about 120 Houlihans to attend.

"It's a big deal. It's an all-day event for us," he said. "When you see all the people lined up on the streets, it's all about family."

Houlihans will be coming from the Western suburbs and beyond, including some from as far away as the Detroit area.

Houlihan, whose great-grandfather immigrated to the United States from County Cork, Ireland, said he plans to attend with his wife, Lori, and their 17-year-old daughter, Molly.

Many family members will bring their dogs to walk in the parade and many also will proudly wear T-shirts emblazoned with the label "Houlihan Clan," he said.

This year's St. Patrick's Day Parade, presented by West Suburban Irish, a Naperville-based nonprofit organization, begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at Naperville North High School and will wind along a mile-long stretch through downtown Naperville, ending at the city's municipal center.

The pageantry will include about 80 marching units of bands, dancers, musicians and politicians, parade co-chairman Chuck Corrigan said.

Among the marchers will be members of the Reilly family of Naperville, the first family to be named the Irish Clan of the Year by West Suburban Irish.

"We kind of wanted to recognize the family for their contributions to the community," said Corrigan, president of the organization. "They're generous with their time and did a lot of good things. They've been an exemplary family."

Real estate executive and Naperville resident Nick Ryan will serve as parade grand marshal, he said.

And Colleen Manser, a junior at Naperville North High School and a member of the McNulty Irish Dancers, will be the parade queen.

Corrigan said the marching Houlihans will be joined by a number of other large family clans and "clans" of neighbors from such subdivisions as Hobson West and Jefferson Estates. A group from the Naperville Area Homeowners Confederation also is expected to march, he said.

Though there are plenty of good spots along the route for parade-watching, Corrigan said the earliest arrivals will fare the best.

"They tend to get out early to get a good spot," he said.

The Houlihans plan to get an early start to a day that includes a group photo, followed by the parade and a post-parade family party.

"It's a huge day," Houlihan said. "We start at 8 in the morning and go on into the wee hours."

If you go

St. Patrick's Day Parade, organized by West Suburban Irish

10 a.m. Saturday

Naperville North High School to Naperville Municipal Center

Parade route: wsirish.org/parade_route_map.htm

Cost: Free

Info: (630) 375-7725