UPDATE, March 7 / Sing along now… “There was an old man named Michael Finnegan, he grew whiskers on his chin again, the wind blew them off and they grew in again. Poor old Michael Finnegan. Begin again.”
Then prepare to put on the green and enjoy the many St. Patrick’s Day festivities planned in Naperville by the West Suburban Irish.
UPDATE, Feb. 22 / Thursday evening West Suburban Irish President Chuck Corrigan organized some good cheer at Quigley’s Irish Pub to introduce the new Past Grand Marshall Program, under the leadership of Mike Reilly, who served as 2014 Grand Marshall for the WSI St. Patrick’s Parade.
During festivities, this year’s Grand Marshall, Brian Cunningham, also was welcomed by some of the past Grand Marshals of the St. Patrick’s Parade, including Corrigan,Ray McGury, Reilly, Nick Ryan and Ray Kinney, as well as Mayor George O’Pradel, as his green sash always says during annual St. Patrick’s Parade. The 2015 Parade will begin at 10AM on Saturday, March 14.
“Grand Marshal Brian promises great weather!’ noted Corrigan.
Earlier Post / The West Suburban Irish, a fun-loving group based in Naperville, again have set plans in motion for the 2015 St. Patrick’s Day season, with many events planned from the end of February through March 17. The nonprofit organization welcomes members from throughout the western suburbs to celebrate Irish heritage through annual events tied to St. Patrick’s Day as well as monthly WSI Quiz Nights at Quigley’s.
Get into the swing at the Emerald Dinner
The 2015 Emerald Dinner will be held at 6PM on Sat., Feb. 28 at the White Eagle Golf Club.
The annual fundraiser will offer silent auctions featuring many “green” items, corned beef or salmon dinner, live Irish music performed by Cirrus Falcon, Irish dancing by McNulty Irish Dancers and the introduction of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Queen and her Court. The queen and her court also will ride high on a float in the WSI St. Patrick’s Parade on March 14.
All proceeds from this dinner/dance will go to support the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. The public is invited to the ticketed ($65 per person) event. Tables of ten are available. For tickets, visit www.wsirish.org.
Quiz Night is March 3
The next WSI Quiz Night begins at 7PM Tues., March 3, at Quigley’s Irish Pub in downtown Naperville. That’s when the latest WSI collectible scarves will be available for $5 each.
Irish Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle
Another event, free of charge, hosted by the West Suburban Irish will be an Irish Mass on March 11, with a Soda Bread Reception to follow. The Irish Mass will be held at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Naperville.
Register now for St. Patrick’s Parade March 14
The 22nd Annual St. Patrick’s Parade will begin at 10AM on March 14 in downtown Naperville. Recently members of the West Suburban Irish named Brian Cunningham, the Naperville Police Department’s deputy chief for the Investigations Division, as the 2015 Grand Marshall.
Registration is now in progress. The popular parade is always a great time for local politicians and elected officials to showcase their support and community spirit.
With 33 candidates running to serve on local governing bodies in the April 7 Consolidated Election, likely everybody will be Irish during the parade.
After-parade festivities will continue on March 14 and again until the close of St. Patrick’s Day on March 17 at Quigley’s Irish Pub.
The West Suburban Irish is a nonprofit organization which celebrates Irish heritage through social activities and raising funds to donate to charitable organizations. New members always are welcome to join the fun.
For additional information about St. Patrick’s Day activities and many photos that help tell their story, visit www.wsirish.org or find them on Facebook at “West Suburban Irish.”
Rotary Sunrise St. Paddy’s Day 5K
Note also the Rotary Club of Naperville/Sunrise will host its annual St. Paddy’s Day 5K first thing March 14. Registration for the downtown Naperville race is now in progress.
PN File Photos
