Chicago has two St. Patrick's day parades, but this is the real neighborhood parade. It was started in the 1970's as group of neighbors marching around the block and has since evolved into one of the largest neighborhood parades in the country. It currently runs down Western Avenue between 103rd and 111th Streets through the Beverly and Mogan Park Neighborhoods.
First, a little green river from the day before...
And now the South Side parade the day after...
Pipes and drums:
Proud residents of the neighborhood
More pipes and drums:
Cops from Phoenix to NYC
Bring on the Unions...
Irish Tradition:
The honorable King Richard II and his chariot
Parade over, let the drunken crowd mingling begin :cheers:
And tailgating
Budwiser was the choice beer on the street
As with everyone else, I really had to pee. I started waiting at a Port-o-potty line when the cops closed it off and told us to go elsewhere, such as a restaurant even though they were packed to the gills and not letting anyone in. Then they began forcing everone off of the street and sidewalk as the claenup began.
I found another potty line, when one officer said that we could continue to wait, untill these dusche bags on the horses forced everyone into the alley. JUST LET ME FUCKING PISS FOR THE LOVE OF GOD.
:mad2: :mad2:
^Yeah thanks, have a nice day too asshole. The drinking and the partying merely moved into the alley.
I found another port-o in the alley and waited another 20 minutes in line before I got relief. I was not about to piss in the alley and risk a hefty ticket with that many cops swarming around. And then there were those who took advatage of the situation:
(The money was going to a good cause at least, Breat cancer research, or so they say) And now the Beverly and Morgan Park hoods:
Parade cleanup proudly brought to you by the Cook County Department of Corrections
Morgan Park library branch
Yes, its true, hills do exist in Chicago
^Morgan Park Metra station
This is the Beverly Hills neighborhood, where some of Chicago's pre-depression wealthy families (including my own) built thier homes. Rumor has it that Beverly Hills California takes its name from this hood, not sure how much truth exists in that claim though. Unfortunately for me, the depression wiped out the wealth in family, due to my Great Grandfather’s stubbornness to keep his money in the bank. They eventually lost the house in this hood. Sun was on its way down, so I had to hurry up...
103rd Street commercial strip and train station
Happy St. Patricks day.
