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Thursday, February 13, 2025

St. Patrick’s events evoked warm smiles on a chilly morning in downtown Naperville

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The 3rd Annual St. Paddy’s Day 5K stepped off at 8AM today in downtown Naperville, allowing plenty of time to finish before the 20th Annual St. Patrick’s Parade began at 10AM.  Under overcast skies, many spectators along the parade route  arrived early to cheer on participants, as the run and parade followed the same route from Naperville North High School, south along Mill Street, east on Jefferson Avenue, south on Main Street. The parade wrapped up on Water Street.

“Twenty-six hundred people ran the third Annual St Paddy’s Day 5K held in Downtown Naperville on Saturday, the largest fundraiser for Naperville Sunrise Rotary,” wrote Deb Newman, publicist for the Rotary Club of Naperville/Sunrise, organizer of the event.

“The run takes place prior to and along the route of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, sponsored by the West Suburban Irish,” she added.

Just as soon as the last participant had crossed the finish line, organizers from the Rotary Club of Naperville/Sunrise hopped into place as one of the 107 entries in the parade.

rotaryrunwebDSC_4752As in 2012, sign-ups reached capacity prior to the 2013 event. By March 1, registration had closed with 2,600 runners signed up.  Early registration is recommended for the 2014 run/walk that again will kick off the Chicago running season in downtown Naperville,  just prior to the WSI St. Patrick’s Parade on the Sat., March 15.

Cash awards were presented to the overall top three runners. Awards also went to the top three of each age group. Walkers followed the runners across the start line, with their time being recorded from the passing of the start line to the finish line. Note that the overall three cash award winners are removed from the age categories.

Overall Top Runners

Men

1. Willy Kraal of Naperville, age 26, 14:56
2. Kyle Brady of  Naperville, age 24, 15:10

3. Mike Spain of Normal, age 23, 15:18

Women

1. Amber Druien of Naperville, age 27, 18:12
2. Lauren Farley of Aurora, age 37 18:46

3. Karin Glenn of Naperville, age 42, 19:49

Youngest Male First Place

Jake McEneaney of Aurora, age 14, 17:24

Youngest Female First Place

Tessa Brennan of Aurora, age 12, 22:53

Oldest Male First Place

Roger Boekenhauer of Arlington Heights, age 73, 30:47

Oldest Female First Place

Linda Nolten of Naperville, age 73, 36:47

20th Annual St. Patrick’s Parade

A striking contrast to the sunny, warm temperatures in 2012, the temperature hovered in the mid-30 degree range, dipping to nearly freezing with snow flurries for a few minutes.

The sights and sounds of the popular parade included colorful floats, motorcycles, fire engines, bag pipers, scouts, political candidates, elected officials, teams of dog rescue organizations, roaring go-carts, a Yes at Large trolley and Irish spirit from beginning to end. Kevin Dolan, founder of the St. Patrick’s Parade in 1993, served as Grand Marshall. Bob Welsh also returned to portray St. Patrick.

Warm waves and memorable smiles came from more than 100 parade entries, including the float with the 2013 Naperville St. Patrick’s Parade Queen, Mary Kate Zimmerman, and her Court as well as Nonnie Marovich, the 2012 Grand Marshall and member of West Suburban Irish since its inception 20 years ago.

Update on March 19, 2013: Thanks to WSI President Chuck Corrigan who sent PN’s parade photo to the Mayo News. a glimpse of Naperville’s St. Patrick’s Parade can be seen with other celebrations around the world.

wsi-paradequeen-webDSC_4740

Despite the cold, thousands of parade-goers, many of whom had purchased collectible West Suburban Irish signature scarves that feature a different pattern every year, lined the route for a whole morning of traditional entertainment in downtown Naperville. Though the crowds were smaller than warmer years, many still topped off the morning with brunch or lunch at one of more than 40 eateries, including Quigley’s Irish Pub where revelers packed the heated tent on the patio set up for Saturday and St. Patrick’s Day.  Quigley’s also staged live music fit for Irish toasts. Cirrus Falcon was set to perform from 11AM-8PM, followed by Fonn Mor from 9PM-1PM.

scarf-webDSC_4762Since last month’s WSI Emerald Dinner at White Eagle on Feb. 23, WSI President Chuck Corrigan and members of the club with the motto “Friendship, Fun and Service” also hosted an Irish Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church to celebrate Irish heritage.

For information about membership and all WSI events that include monthly Quiz Nights at Quigley’s Irish Pub and Scott’s Walk in September at DuPage River Park, visit www.wsirish.org.

Proceeds from West Suburban Irish fundraisers benefit St. Baldrick’s Foundation, providing funds for childhood cancer research.

Parade Trophy Winners are announced

WSI President Corrigan announced the names of the prize-winning entries late Saturday. The 2013 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Trophy Winners in 10 catergories are:

Queen’s Choice Award, McNulty Irish Dancers;

mcnulty-webDSC_4747

Founder’s Award, The Houlihan Clan;

Best Float Award, Casey’s Foods;

Most Irish Award, Weber Irish Dancers;

Most Colorful Award, Anderson’s Bookstore / IndieBound Naperville;

Best New Group, Somonauk High School Marching Bobcats;

Best Musical Group, Tunes of Glory;

Best Four-Legged Group, Edward Hospital Animal-Assisted Therapy;

Crowd Favorite Award, Aurora Area Shrine Club; and

Best Youth Group, Naperville Chargers Youth Football/Cheer

Same Saturday next year! Slainte! Celebrate Safely!

For more information about the Rotary/Sunrise St. Paddy’s 5K, visit stpaddysday5k.org/. For information about membership and the service projects of the Rotary Club of Naperville/Sunrise, visit their website.

For more information about all the things to do on St. Patrick’s Day and during March in downtown Naperville, visit www.downtownnaperville.com.

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PN Editor
PN Editor
An editor is someone who prepares content for publishing. It entered English, the American Language, via French. Its modern sense for newspapers has been around since about 1800.
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