I have been receiving quite a few emails regarding the SSI Parade offically ending. Please see below. I am just posting what I have received, nothing is verified. Could this really be the end?
Hello Family/Friends,
I thought I'd take a moment to give all of you a slight heads up on some major neighborhood news.
The South Side Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade is no more.
As all of you know, I've served on the parade's organizing committee for the past six years. Well, that committee met this evening to discuss the situation and, after much debate, it was decided that this fine tradition must end.
Many will say this was a long time coming. The behavior of those who come to this neighborhood on parade day just to get drunk and cause trouble has gotten worse and worse over the past decade, and it's finally become too much for the neighborhood to endure. The tipping point, in case your curious, was the fact that 11 police officers were assaulted during the 2009 parade. This total disregard for law enforcement crossed a new line, and we were afraid the next step would be someone getting seriously injured or even killed. So given that mindset, we obviously could not go forward.
Not sure how you all feel about the parade at this point - I'm sure some of you will be glad to see it go while others will be disappointed. Though I did not hesitate to vote with those committee members who wanted to end it, I think it is an incredible shame. This was an event which helped defined the community in which I've chosen to live. It was a tradition that spanned my entire life and one I'd hoped to share with my daughter. And because of irresponsible people, most of whom don't even live in this community, it has been destroyed.
The committee will work hard to make sure that the end of the parade does not mean the end of Irish celebrations in Beverly. We plan to continue with the annual Mass and hopefully create a new tradition - some kind of cultural event, perhaps at the Beverly Art Center, involving Irish music, dance, food, etc. All of that is of course very vague right now, but I hope you all will choose to support it.
News of the parade's demise will be released tomorrow...well, today, I guess. If you want to see the snazzy press release I wrote announcing the news, visit www.southsideirishparade.org.
Sadly yours,
Colleen
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82 comments:
it's about time
It is a shame. All because we couldnt control the flow of alcohol and suburbanites
For Immediate Release 25Mar2009
For confirmation contact Mary Beth Sheehan (773-393-8687)
RE: SOUTH SIDE IRISH ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE PLANS FOR 2010
Let this release serve as notice that the South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee is not planning to stage a parade in its present form in March of 2010.
This decision was not arrived at lightly. For 31 years, this parade was a staple of the Beverly/Morgan Park and Mt. Greenwood communities – a celebration of faith, family and heritage that was cherished by thousands. Founded in 1979 by the Hendry and Coakley families, it was intended to instill in this community an appreciation for the Irish heritage that so many of its residents share.
This parade was an eagerly anticipated annual event which celebrated families, many of whom have created decades long traditions that we hope will endure. But what began as a neighborhood parade is now an event of international proportions. More than 300,000 people typically flock to the Beverly area each year, and the sheer volume has become more than the neighborhood can reasonably accommodate. With these numbers comes a collection of issues that strain both the host community and those individuals charged with effectively managing the crowds. Additionally, the amount of resources required to launch the event has become overwhelming to the community.
The Committee would like to thank the tens of thousands of parade faithful who supported this event for more than 30 years. The multigenerational families who turned out along Western Avenue each year, along with the fine organizations featured in the Line of March, were the essence of what made this parade so special. We would also like to thank the Chicago Police Department for the effort they put into managing the ever-growing crowd while working to maintain the dignity of the event.
While we regret the need to alter such a fine tradition, the Committee feels that suspending the South Side Irish Parade in its present form is the just and responsible thing to do. It is our hope, however, that this will not mean an end to the neighborhood’s annual celebration. The Committee will work to create a series of alternate events that will return us to what the parade’s founders had in mind – a neighborhood-friendly celebration of Irish heritage. Please look for news of our plans later this year.
Thank you for your support,
The South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee
It is over. Check the website.inghte
Maybe we can break it down into a series of childrens parades and parish dances. No alcohol in the public way.....ever. No drunkeness at the parish dances.
The former parade committees are the ones responsible for the parade getting out of control. They should have reacted to the blatant alcohol abuse 20 years ago.
They did nothing except to continue to promote the parade and then congrat themselves for a job well done. They were oblivious to reality. Now we have this problem.
It is a shame, but it was getting way out of control, especially with kids' drinking, reserving parking spaces in the neighborhood the night before, after-parties, etc. Now St. Patrick's Day will hopefully return as a religious holiday. Thank you to the Committee for all the wonderful parades that have been held over the years!
I would like to take this opportunity to respond to the comments made by anonymous at 11:56AM. As a former parade committee member from that era I would like to respond that he or she does not have any idea what went on at our meetings or what we did to attempt to deal with the alcohol problem at that time. It is truly unfortunate that this individual does not know that the Committee met for long hours with Chicago Police, City Departments and the Ward office in order to address the problem. The Committee reached out to schools, parishes, newspapers and other civic organizations requesting that parade goers respect the law of the City of Chicago as well as respect the neighbors in Beverly and Morgan Park. I feel that criticizing members of the Committee who worked tirelessly in putting an event that the neighborhood on is unfortunate especially coming from individuals who do not know what efforts were made over the years to address the problems.
Understandably the Committee and Parade supporters will be upset with the end of the Parade but I can tell you that the members of the present Committee responsibly discussed and debated the pros and cons of continuing this event. I for one wish to thank all of the people who have suported the event over the years.
How very sad that a tradition that helped define a neighborhood is over due to the ignorance of people who do not know what living in a neighborhood is all about.
I'm sad to see the "tradition" go, but not sad to see an end to it for what it turned into over the last few years. It really has just gotten out of control. I think the key words in the news release is that "it will not continue in it's present form".
Anyone can start a commitee and get a permit pulled for a street or two closed for a parade. This commitee ended and another one will begin, I guarantee it. Too many people enjoyed this parade to not let something replace it. Its the last Irish Chicago neighborhood. Why invite the news every year? Who needs em. Keep it simple and small for the neighbors and away from the bars. longwood would be great
This is 11:56 AM
I am very aware of the great work of the committees past. They did a great job building the parade. In fact, they built a Mack truck without brakes. Despite their great efforts, the alcohol problem continued to get out of control. Should I say, they didn't do enough? They pretended it wasnt a problem. They should have curtailed the parade back then. Instead, they promoted the parade with those posters and at Irish events. They even promoted themselves with those silly green blazers. Instead, they should have campaigned for zero tolerance in relation to drinking in the streets.
They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Glad to hear it is over. I saw girls so drunk they were being held up. It has gotten worse every single year. There are way too many people who think the only way to have a good time is to drink - and then they get into cars and drive. It's not just people from the suburbs - there are plenty of people around here (kids and adults) who drink like fish.
good iam happy we dont need this crap in our area any more
Wait for the new one! Cry babies
No one else can get a permmit pulled for the parade. It was the city who "pressed" upon the committe that they most likely would not grant a permit next year do to the extent in which the city had to staff the parade.
Do you think the city will do the same for the Bud Billiken Parade? They use the same amount of resources
To the fomer committee member who tok offense, get over yourself. we all work hard, then we go home quietly and do it again the next day. You committee members worked hard, then put on those green jackets to let everyone know you were somebody.
Move it out near Gaelic Park. That would be the logical location for something like this.
THERE WONT BE ANY MORE PARADES HERE. THE RESIDENTS WILL NOT STAND FOR IT. ITS OVER.
I think the committee member that was offended should look at what they did. They ran a beautiful parade into a brick wall just like a car at Indy. They gave it too much gas.
I would like to thank Ginger Rugai and Matt O'Shea for making sure the right thing was done. The welfare of the neighborhood is much more important than any BS parade.
What green jackets are they talking about?
If its true the city ordered it shut down then we have a real problem. Can someone actually show facts based on this. Boy the white man gets the final shaft in Chicago, I guess. You dont a permit to begin a parade down your streets and have fun, who needs the useless City anyway, if Daley cant steal or tax it he doesnt want it. He feels he has your White vote anyway. What will they do if 800 people are marching? Arrest em? Kids and parents? I dont think so. Maybe they will send teh useless chopper to waste gas flying over 10 million times.
I know many young people that bought homes here and settled in this neighborhood for no other reason then being out to the parade growing up. I guess the next parade that will hit the neighborhood will be the Cinco de mayo, when the population changes as amny other southside neighborhoods have. What staple do we have now? The stupid bike race? The gay home tours?
Wow people are ingnorant...... A great tradition got out of hand. Why do people have to get so rude about placing blame. The intent was great and most years, so was the parade. Thank you to everyone who had a part in organizing the event and celebrating our area and our Irish heritage. For most of the 31 years it put a nice spot light on the southwest side. So be it, now its time to move on for obvious reasons.
You are right it is the fault of the committee, the police, the alcoholics in the neighborhood, and the suburbanites. If the committee would have done this.... or the police that....
We are a ghetto, lets blame the popo or the man that is oppressing us, but whatever you do don't accept accountabilty.
To the police and the parade committee, you did a good job, and it got out of control. Keep the parade day, don't walk down Western and keep it house parties. Next year I am going to try to organize a few blocks to let the kids walk together...
The intent was right, it got lost.
ERIN GO BRAUGH = ERIN GO BYE-BYE!!!
I know many young people that bought homes here and settled in this neighborhood for no other reason then being out to the parade growing up.
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That sounds made up! I don't know of anyone that would buy a home just for a parade....c'mon!
It was all the busloads of north side drunks that ruined this wonderful south side tradition. They had absolutely no respect for our neighborhood and its residents. Lifelong residents of Beverly and Mt. Greenwood appreciated this annual family event that embraced their Irish heritage. It's a shame it has to end after so many years.
hey didnt buy houses because the parade happens, but they were introduced into this neighborhood from a failing or changing neighborhood because of the times they spent in our neighborhood. Why else would someone come out to Beverly or Mt greenwood? For the night life?
The parade committee members had plenty of chances to do it right.
Thank you Parade Committee old and young. Thanks for providing us with the good times and thanks for knowing when enough was enough.
A few years ago, the parade committee went out and had these green blazers made. I seen them together a few times. They looked like something out of the Masters Tournament. Nice people, serious about what they were doing.
If the city is the ones ending the parade by refusing a permit, the Bud Biliken parade/farce should end also. Richie does not care about the white vote on the south side, he doesn't need it. He has the Gold Coast and liberal northside.
No matter what they replace it with, The neighborhood will never be the same. No more tradition, only a matter of time before there's no more Irish in the area.
Lets hear it for the parade committee. They did such a wonderful job.
HIP HIP HURRAY
HIP HIP HURRAY
HIP HIP HURRAYYYY
I think it's a terrible shame. What a great tradition lost!
We should have our block party's in place of it.
How many people were shot this year at Bud Bilikin? If the City cannot handle parades, how the hell are we to host an Olympic here? Everyone write the city to stop Bud Bilikin Parade. Thank you Parade committees past and present, it was fun while it lasted. maybe we can run bus trips ( no alcohol or they will cancel that too ) to the downtown Parade next year. Or better yet everyone request a block party on parade day next year.
The city put the cabash on this parade. Maybe it was on the mind to change some things with the parade, but ultimately the city had a hand in the final closure. That makes me sick as a white city resident. I dont use the measley city services I pay so much for, schools, police, fire ,libraries etc. Yet I fund all those things. The one neighborhood function I enjoyed with mu familt for years is wiped out.
Thanks Daley.
to 8 39 am
you took your family to the parade? Either you are full of it or your kids are now psychos after witnessing the behaviour out there.
I'm very glad it's gone.
you took your family to the parade? Either you are full of it or your kids are now psychos after witnessing the behaviour out there.
I'm very glad it's gone.
I can't believe that you think it was such a wrong thing to do by bringing your kids to the parade. That was what it was all about. I have made it to the parade for the past 26 years. It has always been a family affair. It's people like you that have made it become what it did. It is a shame that it got so out of control. I agree with many of the people that have commented, but every year my entire family (grandparents,parents,siblings,aunts, uncles,cousins,and children)looked forward to spending the day together and celebrating our Irish heritage. We all enjoyed getting our same spot with blankets and chairs and watching the parade with no alcohol or obsenities. That is all gone now.
Folks,
Here is a link if you choose to save the parade, there is a petition going. Personally I don't choose to unless there are changes, but I believe everyone has the choice so here you go.....
Save the parade:
http://gopetition.com/online/26428.html
Hey everyone...Tinley Park will move it's parade to the weekend before St. Pat's, the weekend usually set aside for the SSI Parade down Western...so now, all of us 60655 and 60643 people can go to Tinley, get drunk off our a$$es, puke, urinate and whatever else and be able to come home to a clean neighborhood...I wonder what the residents of Tinley will think? The parade is relatively small, well now the 300,000 that swarmed to 60643 and 60655 will be descending on Tinley, I wonder if they will feel our pain of a nice family event going down the crapper.
the parade was getting out of hand but if so many people from our ward complained it would of been over years ago. i predict no parade next year but a new one the year after. to much money generated for the city to collect. maybe at the next one they will have the national guard arresting drinkers and urinators
I can't believe that you think it was such a wrong thing to do by bringing your kids to the parade. That was what it was all about. I have made it to the parade for the past 26 years. It has always been a family affair. It's people like you that have made it become what it did. It is a shame that it got so out of control. I agree with many of the people that have commented, but every year my entire family (grandparents,parents,siblings,aunts, uncles,cousins,and children)looked forward
Amen, we loved it and it was a family affair. To the complete asswipe that called some children of the blogger psychos, maybe you need treatment for your hate . You are almost as disrepectable as the teenagers you are bitching about on here that urinate and drink. You should be ashamed, how ignorant.
All of us yearly parade goers knew, the East side of Western is for families and the West side is for the drinkers. It worked out pretty well that way for years. My very first year there (75 degrees), my son was in a stroller and someone spilled a whole pitcher of beer on him...I was a wee bit peturbed. The idiot had the nerve to ask me "what are you bringing a kid to a parade for?" Needless to say, I continued the tradition with another kid in tow up until last year. It lost it's appeal for me. Still have people over to the house though.
In my opinion, only the last couple of years has been too much. You can't hide a good thing for too long before someone comes along to take advantage of it.
Love it or hate it. It's gone now.
This is one typical example of why they is no longer a parade:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y3fleRnAKM
Do you want to see the 10,000 youtubes of Bud 3rd July? They are much worse and involve deaths
to all you people who insist the parade was a family affair, I will presume you sat on the east side of Western Ave. be assured, the west side of Western was a very unfamily type of enviroment. Definitely not for children.
I don't doubt that the parade committee will come up with a suitable, lower profile replacement. Something for the neighborhood only. It needs to embrace the Celtic and Druid culture's from which we evolved.
I will never understand those who argue that SSI isn't as bad as Bub B. Who cares. If you like bad then go to Bud. This is not good for our kids or our neighborhood.
Thanks SSI parade committee for being the grown ups. Thanks for all your hard work and I'm sorry the wankers ruined it for us.
Thanks SSI parade committee for being the grown ups. Thanks for all your hard work and I'm sorry the wankers ruined it for us.
March 27, 2009 5:38 AM
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You sound like a weasel Dummycrat blaming us America for all problems. Its not our fault the parade was cancelled, grow a set. Stop hating yourselves so much. "sorry commitee we messed up" "Sorry Mexico its our fault we are so bad. Obama even apologized for us to the arabs his first week in office. What happened to America? Weaklings
In the southtown today...(just bits and pieces)...
A Midlothian teen accused of punching two Chicago cops during the South Side Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade says "don't blame me" for killing the parade.
Speaking Thursday - as the commander in charge of policing 310,000 revelers at the parade detailed a nightmarishly "rough day" for his officers - 17-year-old Gonzalo Vasquez said he plans to attend whatever celebration South Side organizers have next year.
"I was wasted," Vasquez said outside his home in the 14800 block of Lawndale Avenue on Thursday afternoon.
"But I wasn't the only one. Everybody was drunk. You can't blame me for them canceling the parade."
Vasquez, who along with his pal Francisco Betancourt is charged with two counts of aggravated battery to a police officer and is free on bail of $75,000, faces the most serious charges of an all-time high 54 people arrested during the parade.
Just 30 were arrested last year and 18 the year before that. Only four were arrested in 2006.
Police say that at 3 p.m. March 15, the date of this year's parade, Vasquez punched an officer in the back and a sergeant in the back of the head when they arrested the mother of his child Krystal Bartak for spitting at a cop near the 111th Street Metra station.
"I was just trying to protect my baby's mama. I didn't assault anyone," Vasquez said. ""If they have something next year, I'll definitely go."
"It's become Mardi Gras on Western Avenue - when you're talking about 310,000 or 330,000 people, that's a Grant Park-sized crowd," he said.
Sgt. Mike Casey said the crowd was so tight in places that adults had to form wedges to allow young children who were being crushed to escape.
"It's happened over time, but if every year more people come for the wrong reasons, less families want to bring their children, and that creates a vacuum where more people who want to get drunk come. It's reached breaking point."
Parade organizer Mary Beth Sheehan said it was the parade committee's decision to cancel the parade and that Chicago Police Department had not asked for the cancellation.
"We want an old-fashioned parade for families and the community," she said.
"The police did a great job."
If Vasquez or anyone looking to cause trouble plans to come to Beverly next year, "They're out of luck, because the parade's cancelled," she said.
Okay...17-year old, totally wasted and a dad and now a criminal on bond...here's someone doing something with his life.
It would be great to see each parish consider a mass at each church and then a corned beef dinner with a little Irish entertainment or activity for the families who participate on what was typically Parade Sunday. Tickets to get in that benefit the schools in the community, NO ALCOHOL served, and no incentive for thousands of outsiders to decend upon us. All parishes celebrating on the same day with their own people. If we could get people to throw the money for a ticketed event back into our schools instead of their coolers, maybe it would be a step in the right direction...Faith, family, and Irish tradition, all coming together in a safe and reasonable manner.
It would be great to see each parish consider a mass at each church and then a corned beef dinner with a little Irish entertainment or activity for the families who participate on what was typically Parade Sunday. Tickets to get in that benefit the schools in the community, NO ALCOHOL served, and no incentive for thousands of outsiders to decend upon us. All parishes celebrating on the same day with their own people. If we could get people to throw the money for a ticketed event back into our schools instead of their coolers, maybe it would be a step in the right direction...Faith, family, and Irish tradition, all coming together in a safe and reasonable manner.
-- I like the way you think. Community and family based. Not-alcohol based.
I would like to substitute the parade for a Druid fest. Tradition dictates that it be held the first 2 nights of November.
We could have it at Beverly park and a silent torchlight walk to Kennedy Park. No alcohol at all.
Vasquez sounds like a real winner. Just what we don't want showing up at the parade.
The worst experience for me on parade day this year was when I had to use the plastic green fire helmet, tossed from the fire truck, to cover my 5 year old daughters eyes so she would not see the totally drunk and out of control teens and 20 somethings. It had to end!!! Are those the images and memories we want our children to have of "Parade Day"?
Again in our soceity the "LOWEST DENOMINATION" gets the oil. Th e lowest forms of life have taken away so much freedoms and fun from good people. I am sick of the "post" actions in this city and Liberal country. When someone does something stupid we must change it for everyone., instead of actually beating the "right" into the idiots we continue to punish the law abiding folks,with legistlating us to death or stopping fun events. They win again, the bad guy gets a friggin parade in Oakland, no one condemns them or dares attack them in while in action. I am tired of this. When will we take our country back?
The problem with Druidfest is you have to be 85% irish in order to qualify as a Druid. It wont get neighborhood support. This is a neighborhood of half-breeds.
We can get enough participants. You need to be 3/4 Irish in order to be able to appreciate the spiritual experience. The real Irish will know what I'm talking about.
ITS OVER DEAD GONE ENOUGH ALREADY, GET A LIFE ALREADY.
WE LET THE PISS BUMS TAKE AWAY AN OLD FRIEND, WE ARE WEAK, AND WE DESERVE EXACTLY WHAT WE ARE GONNA GET.
DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE THE PISS BUMS ARE GONE? THEY ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE.
THEY ARE COWARDS AND UNEDUCATED MISTAKES OF NATURE THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN BORN, PERIOD. GOOD LUCK WITH LIFE YOU LOSER JO'S, AND TO THIER PARENTS, OH LIKE LETS SAY MOM AND DAD VASQUES, AND HIS WIFE KRYSTAL'S PARENTS I SAY GOOD JOB, GOD MUST REALLY HATE YOU!!!!!!!PISS BUMS!!!
Hey
March 28, 2009 8:58 AM
It seems like you have all the answers...why didn't you get off
your duff and do something like throw the 300,000 drunk people into a paddy wagon and take them away? You had 30 years to get something done...just like a conservative to leave it to someone else to fix the problem.
The parade was not a "fun" event. It was a drunk event for the underaged and for those that did not even live in 60655 and 60643. If you were amused by the parade in the slightest bit you were the problem...maybe you should have become part of the solution!
Cry in your beer...looser!
Cry in your beer...looser!
March 28, 2009 4:23 PM
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Cry in my beer? Learn how to spell jag-o-nuts...."looser" nice public school education. Is that where they brainwashed you to think so liberal? Hows that Obama vote looking now, num-nuts?
The parade was not a "fun" event. It was a drunk event for the underaged and for those that did not even live in 60655 and 60643. If you were amused by the parade in the slightest bit you were the problem...maybe you should have become part of the solution!
So all those families that had years of great memories and "fun" are the problem? Me as a child watching was the problem? You just wanted the end no matter what. Your the problem! Its over so why dont "you" wallow in your miserable life.
as I made the rules, I have insist on no more name calling, that falls under the "flaming" catergory. Thanks for understanding.
Druidfest 2009
Ceremony will begin at dusk on Nov 1 at Beverly park. Participants will march via torchlight, in silence, down Maplewood to Kennedy Park and assemble in a circle with a diameter of 133 ft. In the center will be a bonfire measuring 13 ft. After it has burned, participants will go home and contemplate the spirits of earth and fire.
The next night, we will meet at dusk at Beverly Park for an evening of lectures and poetry. Upon conclusion, participants will be submerged in a pool of water before they walk home to contemplate the spirits of water and air.
At no time will there be any alcohol or drugs permitted. our only request from the city is that 103 st and 111 st be closed so that the parade can proceed uninterupted. Also, we will need the streetlights on Maplewood off during the parade.
We are going to request a parade permit during the next few weeks.
Anonymous said...
Druidfest 2009
Ceremony will begin at dusk on Nov 1 at Beverly park. Participants will march
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Are we sacraficing a lamb or a calf? Can we burn someone at the stake?
I have a question? If the bud bilikin parade was as big a the ss irish parade would this be happening? I think that the parade should continue with more polce presents!! Parents should be parents and watch thier children!! This parade brings atlot of families and friends together each year. I say let there be a new committee and start from the beginning!!!
this will never fly i cant see the city letting you have a fire...
next the city willnot turn off street light on maplewood the older people will be call the police plus seeing marcher carring torches it not going happen
I always find it amusing when things take place out here, such as the parade, and they say the Beverly area. I read the former commitee members reponse how they told parade goers to be respectful of the neighbors in the Beverly and Morgan Park area. Funny, so funny. It's always that way. Respect the Beverly/Morgan Park money.Oops, I mean neighbors. No mention of the Mount Greenwood neighborhood or how the neighbors there should be respected. Just in case you commitee members didn't know, it affects Mount Greenwood just as much as any other area. Only the alderman doesn't see fit to clean this side of 60655.
Anonymous said...
I have a question? If the bud bilikin parade was as big a the ss irish parade would this be happening? I think that the parade should continue with more polce presents!! Parents should be parents and watch thier children!! This parade brings atlot of families and friends together each year. I say let there be a new committee and start from the beginning!!!
March 29, 2009 1:24 PM
The BB parade had 400K people last year.
I grew up with the SSI parade, and have taken my kids since they were born. HOWEVER - the underage drinking and resulting behavior has gotten way out of hand. Girls were urinating in front of my 11 & 12 year old sons with no problem.
I do think most of the problems arise from people NOT in this area though. Youtube video from the train? Obviously not people in 60643 or 60655. Busloads of people flashing on the Ryan? Again, not from here.
Neighborhood parade got too big and needs to be scaled back to what it is about - NEIGHBORHOOD!
Why cant this happen? They are only asking for 2 police cars and fot the streetlights to be off for an hour. The city is saving money.
The particpants are going to be Druids. Good behaviour is inherent.
Anonymous said...
I always find it amusing when things take place out here, such as the parade, and they say the Beverly area. I read the former commitee members reponse how they told parade goers to be respectful of the neighbors in the Beverly and Morgan Park area. Funny, so funny. It's always that way. Respect the Beverly/Morgan Park money.Oops, I mean neighbors. No mention of the Mount Greenwood neighborhood or how the neighbors there should be respected. Just in case you commitee members didn't know, it affects Mount Greenwood just as much as any other area. Only the alderman doesn't see fit to
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They say that becaus ethe actual parade went through those neighborhoods. The actual parade never went through Mt greenwood. I know what you are saying but so does Oaklawn and Ep. Relax its over and Mt greenwood can go back to Section 8-ism
Thanks:
I won't post anymore due to censorship
Druidfest, I am laughing so hard, I m crying!!!!!Dude(or dudette) I wanna be you!!!! PS at Druid Fest, Will we have pie?And can I be on the committee, and we can have jackets too, Can mine say Hello, My Name is Dru?
The misinformation swirling around the parade cancellation is overwhelming. My husband is a parade committtee member and here's what I know.
1.The City did not cancell the parade. The committee came to that decison on it's own. The vote was not unanimous. Was there behind the scene pressure to do so, I have my opinion but don't know for sure.
2.The parade committee members are all volunteers. I personally have seen the amount of time and effort that each member has given to this event year after year. They took time away from their families and work to do so. They have never asked for a thank you or have gotten any monetary comensation. Ignorant comments about them making money off the parade is beyond ridiculous! Lots of people volunteer for various causes like the parade committee members and I would like to add that many of these people are involved many other charitable activites.
3.The committee cannnot control what the police do on parade day. The police are an important part of the planning and post parade assesment. They work as a team. If officers didn't make more arrests or issue written citations for open liquor over the years, take that up with the CPD. Unfortunately, too many people don't respect the fine job our police officers do and some cops were treated with horrible disrespect.
4.The bars on Western aren't the source of problems. Bar owners meet with the CPD prior to each parade and this open communication has kept the bar locations from being problematic.
5. Don't allow busses from north side bars to come. When you figure that out, share it with the committee. In order to better manage the volume of bus attendee's the committee has a coordinated area where they send all the buses to park and there has been an abundance of port o johns at that location. This is a public event. Until it's gated, that can't happen.
6. The east side was the traditional dry family side of the route. Unfortunately, the mass of people flowing off Metra trains, mostly from the south suburbs, drunk and stumbling has ended that.
7.The committee has put on a wonderful parade for the past 31 years and it has been enjoyed by many families. It's terribly sad that the knuckle head factor has gotten to the point it has. When you have an event with 50,000 people you will get a certain percentage of goofs. When it's sunny and 65 and the crowds swell to 340,000, you're going to get a larger percent of knuckleheads. The committee has been aware of the problems over the years and have tried tirelessly to keep the problems to a minimun.I think a lot of people in and outside the community need to take a good long look in the mirror and stop throwing stones. Did you drink on the sidelines, did you let your teenagers go unsupervised?
My only hope is that this wonderful family tradition will come back. The idiots will get the message they aren't welcome. There are enough good quality people in our communities who I think are willing to help take ownership of this event and return it to what it is suppose to be, a celebration of family, faith and heritage.
Thanks.......
Do you want to do something positive for the parade? Establish term limits on the parade committee. I know that more than a few of them have been on the committee over 20 years. Fact is, the committee is a closed shop. It's 95% male and all of them are graduates of Leo or Mt. Carmel. I know for a fact that years ago, a number of local people with talent, went to the parade committee to volunteer their services. They were given white jackets and told to direct traffic. In order to get the green jacket, you had to be a member of the club.
This parade got into trouble and died because of the lack of realistic people on the committee. The parade cannot flourish again until a quality board is in place.
Facts regarding the parade? First how can the blogger put this unsubstantiated BS on this site? The parade committee is about %20 female.The committee members did not all graduate from Mt. Carmel and Leo, we have members from McAuley, Marist, Brother Rice, Mendel, St. Rita and others. Those members that have been with us 20 plus years have poured their heart and soul into this parade, their historical knowledge is irreplaceable. I can't remember turning down people requesting to be on the committee in my ten years with them.In fact we are continually looking for more help.I like this blog, but if your going to let anonymous posters with purported facts join in at least have them sign their names.
Agree with that. The commitee may have worked hard and taken time away from their families, that was their choice...Total bunch of glory hogs who take credit only for the good, not the bad outcome of this years, or past parades.
No doubt, the parade committee was a closed club.
Closed club with those silly green jackets. A fraternity of sorts.
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