Thousands attend Elmhurst St. Patrick's Day Parade
Thousands of people attended Saturday's 21st Elmhurst St. Patrick's Day Parade, watching as Elmhurst Mayor Steve Morley, the grand marshal, led the 140 parade entries through the downtown.
The parade featured nine Medinah Shriner units, Irish dancers, Irish pipe bands, floats, school marching bands, community groups, the Elmhurst Police Department, charity organizations and politicians, including the governor.
Rich Reichert, parade committee member and president and CEO of Community Bank of Elmhurst, said the parade usually is held the week before the granddaddy of St. Patrick's Day events in Chicago.
"It's kind of a right of spring here in town," he said.
Plainfield resident Joe Mattix and his daughter Ella, 3, watch the St. Patrick's Day parade in Elmhurst.
Mike Mantucca/For the Daily Herald
Gov. Bruce Rauner greets paradegoers during the St. Patrick's Day parade in Elmhurst Saturday.
Mike Mantucca/For the Daily Herald
Paradegoers watch the St. Patrick's Day parade in Elmhurst Saturday.
Mike Mantucca/For the Daily Herald
Kids wait for candy while watching the St. Patrick's Day parade in Elmhurst Saturday.
Mike Mantucca/For the Daily Herald
Dylan Crowe, 11, of Elmhurst waits for candy during the St. Patrick's Day parade in Elmhurst.
Mike Mantucca/For the Daily Herald
The Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band perform in the St. Patrick's Day parade in Elmhurst.
Mike Mantucca/For the Daily Herald
The St. Patrick's Day parade makes its way down Spring Road in Elmhurst on Saturday.
Mike Mantucca/For the Daily Herald