It's time to slip into the green once more

Until I lived in New York City during the 1970s, I didn't think much about my Irish heritage.

My Grandpa Mitchell's father immigrated to America from County Cavan in the late 1800s when he was 12. Somehow he ended up in Indiana. That's what I knew. I was part Irish, but all American.

After March 17, 1970, when I first experienced a New York tradition that dates to 1766, I became more curious about my ancestors characterized by good nature and frivolity who clearly knew how to put on a parade.

New York's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade along Fifth Avenue to honor the patron saint of Ireland led all the way uptown to 86th Street and the neighborhood where I lived.

From bagels to beer to street stripes to the illumination of New York's tallest buildings, green ruled the day.

For a dozen years every March 17, my friends and I joined millions to watch the parade over the span of a long lunch hour, as the celebration without floats featured thousands of marchers, Irish step dancers and musicians, as well as Irish clans, police, firefighters and public servants.

And, of course, McPoliticians in emerald-colored top hats added a big O' in front of their names on satin sashes for a little Irish accent.

I still chuckle at the indelible impression made by one over-served lonely bagpiper trying to inflate his instrument very late one St. Patrick's Day, attempting to stand upright outside an Irish pub on Second Avenue around the corner from our apartment, as he tried to hail a cab.

Now Naperville

In recent years, I've watched Naperville's St. Patrick's Day Parade grow from Kevin Dolan's idea into a full-fledged tradition, complete with shenanigans, smiles and whimsy.

That's why I'm dreaming of sunny skies for Saturday when the West Suburban Irish holds its 16th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade beginning at 10 a.m., providing a morning of folklore, family entertainment and community spirit - and a great reason to stay downtown for lunch and shopping.

At the cut-off for sign-ups, Chuck Corrigan, who for the fourth year is co-chairing the parade with Nancy Quigley, said 108 entries represent Irish dancers, pipes and drums, community groups and businesses.

Corrigan noted there are 27 political candidate entries, more than double last year.

And at $75 per entry, you might say it's a little pot of gold for the West Suburban Irish.

"It will help the parade break even and even make a small profit this year," Corrigan said. "You could say the political 'green' helps the not-for-profit parade stay in the 'black.'"

This year's grand marshal is state Rep. Mike Connelly.

Connelly, an attorney who resides in Lisle with his wife, Lisa, and their three children, now represents the 48th District, which includes part of Naperville.

"Connelly takes great pride in his Irish heritage, and has been a great supporter of the St. Patrick's Day Parade," said Corrigan.

"It's an honor to be named grand marshal," Connelly said Saturday. "I'm the grandson of immigrants from County Mayo and County Sligo. If they allow pints of Guinness in heaven, my grandparents are buying the first round."

Noting his parade experience, I asked Connelly to provide some advice for the O' Sohopefuls.

"Try to shake as many hands as possible and work both sides of the parade route," he suggests. "Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration."

Connelly said an added bonus to marching is that every year he's met old friends from high school who've moved to Naperville.

"There are many Irish families from the near West suburbs like LaGrange, Western Springs and Westchester who have moved to Naperville as well as a large number of Southside Irish."

The 2009 Queen of the Parade is Bridget Deely, a junior at Naperville North High School. She will be attended by her court, Chelsea Malley, a junior at Benet Academy, and Betsy Kelly, a senior at Waubonsie Valley High School.