About 150 community members marched through the Flossmoor Park neighborhood of Flossmoor for the 17th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade on the afternoon of Sunday, March 17.
According to village officials, Flossmoor’s St. Patrick’s Day parade started as an event organized by Flossmoor residents. The village got involved, making it an official event, a few years ago.
“It’s an alternative to the bigger Chicago parades,” explained Nicole Castagna, Flossmoor village communications manager.
Before the parade, green hard hats rested on a table outside the Flossmoor Community House for parade-goers to grab. The celebratory hats provided by the village had stickers that read, “The Village of Flossmoor: celebrating our centennial birthday: 100.”
The village also gave away green can coolers with the message “Flossmoor: Try finding better neighbors than us.”
As marchers gathered outside, traditional Irish music played on the speakers, and a group of kids were river dancing. While inside Flossmoor Community House, Vicki Stevenson, one of the event organizers, gave away temporary tattoos of four-leaf clovers and leprechauns.
“We love that our community gives us these things to do at home and not have to travel,” said Kari Dicianni who was there with Jessica Quintero waiting for tattoos.
Some marchers wore Saint Patrick’s Day costumes and bright green necklaces. Some walked their dogs. Others brought their own black and green hats.
(Nick Ulanowski/H-F Chronicle)
As the parade went by, residents stood or sat outside their houses watching the event. Some clapped for passersby.
David Altman, a video content creator and Homewood resident, recorded the parade for his Instagram. He yelled “Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!” while marching.
Troy and Quadree Holmes, new residents to Flossmoor, joined the 2 p.m. parade with their son, Nigel.
“I think events like this really celebrate the diversity in our community,” Quadree said. “Seeing all the different events lined up throughout the year – it’s really nice to see. And that was huge in us selecting Flossmoor as a place to live.”
Troy concurred with his husband, adding that Flossmoor is “the community we were looking for.”
After marching through the neighborhood, the village provided green cupcakes and cookies to community members.