Thousands turn out for Elmhurst St. Patricks Day Parade

The Elmhurst St. Patrick's Day Parade gives Kristin McFadden of Franklin Park a chance to come back home and visit with old friends.

The Elmhurst native and York High School graduate held her granddaughter Addi, 3, also of Franklin Park, while they watched with fascination as the "Flying Carpets" unit from the Medinah Shriners passed by on the side street in front of a house party they were attending prior to the start of the noon parade Saturday.

"I grew up in Elmhurst, so for me, it's like coming back home," McFadden said. Her husband is a bagpiper in the Shannon Rovers Pipe Band, which gives her an additional reason to attend.

More than 20,000 spectators were expected to watch 144 units march in the parade, which moved northward through a neighborhood and business district on a one-mile stretch of Spring Road before concluding at St. Charles Road.

Four Irish dancing groups and five bagpipe bands march, said Jim O'Connor, chairman of the parade. The American Legion T.H.B. Post 187 Color Guard kicked off the parade and representatives from Roesch Auto Group served as grand marshals.

A variety of organizations, including the York High School Marching Band, 10 units from the Medinah Shriners, the city's police and fire departments and scouting groups rounded out the parade's participants.

A sunny day with a temperature of 50 degrees helped bring out the spectators, and O'Connor said he expected the best turnout ever.

"This parade is the happiest day in Elmhurst every year, and with the weather today, it will be outstanding," O'Connor said.