Happy St. Patrick's Day !!

Photo Credit: Barry Butler Photography

St. Patrick's Day, March 17, is an honored tradition in Chicago, from its green Chicago River to its parade, being that many Irish emigrated from Ireland to live in Chicago with generations of children born thereafter, and two recent Irish Chicago mayors, The Daley Family: Richard J. Daley, 38th Mayor of Chicago, and Richard M. Daley, 43rd Mayor of Chicago, longest serving Chicago Mayor for 22 years. A day of luck and good fortune, we hope, St. Paddy's Day is known as a day of good cheer, either at Chicago Pubs and Restaurants for lunch, with corned beef, cabbage and potatoes, or with families at the South Side Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade, which stepped off this year on March 12 at noon from 103rd and proceeded down Western Avenue to 115th Street.

The South Side Irish Parade is a family-friendly event and has a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol along the parade route. It is strictly enforced in accordance with a City of Chicago ordinance which includes fines up to $1000 for open containers in the public way. The annual South Side Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade is a great time to spend with family and friends, both in neighborhood homes and local establishments. We encourage everyone to celebrate responsibly and help keep the annual tradition a safe, family-friendly event. Many of the Western Avenue restaurants and pubs support the parade and we hope you will support them in a responsible manner helping us ensure everyone has a safe, enjoyable parade. Sláinte!

Some top Irish sayings and proverbs:

• "May the luck of the Irish be with you!" 
• "It is better to spend money like there's no tomorrow than to spend tonight like there's no money!" 
• "May you live to be 100 years, with one extra year to repent." 
• "There are only two kinds of people in the world, the Irish and those who wish they were." 
• "May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks. May your heart be as light as a song. May each day bring you bright, happy hours that stay with you all the year long." 
• "A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures." Barry Butler Photography Photo