Elmhurst, Naperville turn green for St. Paddy parades

With apologies to Kermit, some days it really is easy being green.

Take Saturday, for instance, where green clearly was the hot color as large crowds turned out in Elmhurst and Naperville for two of the biggest St. Patrick's Day parades in the 'burbs.

The Naperville parade, sponsored by the West Suburban Irish and celebrating its 25th anniversary, featured nearly 100 entries and 3,500 participants highlighting Irish culture, business, politics, clubs, charities, schools, scouts, dancers and music.

Longtime West Suburban Irish member Chuck Corrigan served as grand marshal as thousands lined the parade route along Mill Street, Jefferson Avenue and Main Street.

The holiday festivities also included a St. Paddy's Day 5K that featured roughly 3,000 runners and walkers - many of whom donned leprechaun hats or other creative green gear.

In Elmhurst, meanwhile, the parade featured the usual array of bagpipers, politicians and marching bands - along with the World Famous Elmhurst Armpit Orchestra, which features men in boxer shorts playing kazoos and bucket drums.

"It's all unconventional instruments," orchestra member Rich Reichert, president and CEO of Community Bank of Elmhurst, said in the days leading to the parade. "We don't allow any real instruments."

This year's grand marshal was not a single person, but the Elmhurst American Legion THB Post 187 led by head marshal Dave Thompson.