Flossmoor hosted its own St. Patrick’s Day celebration with a parade through the Flossmoor Park neighborhood. The gathering of dozens of residents and friends started and ended at the Flossmoor Community House on the afternoon of Saturday, March 14.
The annual parade was first organized in 2007 by Flossmoor Park residents. The village later got involved to help ensure safety and add organizational structure, leading to wider participation in Flossmoor.
“We decided to do it as a village event, but always with a neighborhood liaison to work with it and get the neighbors more involved,” neighborhood liaison Vicki Stevenson said.
Irish music put the crowd in a festive mood as Flossmoor events director Stephanie Wright and Stevenson handed out green top hats and four-leaf clover necklaces.
The parade kicked off at about 1 p.m. with Flossmoor Fire trucks leading the procession. Flossmoor police cars followed along at the end.
Marchers wore green costumes, outfits, jewelry and headgear.
Chicago Southland Cheerettes & Cheeros members perform during the Flossmoor St. Patrick's Day Parade. (Nick Ulanowski / H-F Chronicle)
Youth performers from the Chicago Southland Cheerettes & Cheeros, a Homewood-based nonprofit organization serving students in Flossmoor School District 161 and Homewood-Flossmoor High School, were first in line behind the fire trucks. They carried a green banner that said “Flossmoor: Welcoming. Beautiful. Connected.”
Cheerettes & Cheeros members danced and cheered led by their coach, Homewood resident Andrea Jefferson.
“It’s Saint Patrick’s Day! We didn’t come to play! Cheerers, unite! We can show our pride,” the youth performers cheered, adding, “green, gold and black! Yes, our spirit’s back!”
Donna Miller, a candidate for the 2nd Congressional District seat, and two congressional campaign volunteers marched, carrying a pink, blue and white banner that said “Donna Miller: Democrat for Congress,” referring to the upcoming election on Tuesday, March 17.
“I’ve been in this parade before. So, I couldn’t miss it this time,” Miller said. She’s currently serving on the Cook County Board.
Flossmoor resident Sheri Pierog walked her dog, Chubbs. Some community members pushed baby strollers. Others rode bicycles or scooters.
After the parade, Wright and Stevenson served hot cocoa and chocolate cupcakes with green sprinkles to participants.
While earlier years saw larger crowds, Flossmoor resident Kim Coderre described this year’s parade as having “a small but mighty crowd.” It was estimated to be between 75 and 100 people.
“It’s a little chilly out. But with the warmth of friends and family that we’re here with, and a nice, brisk walk, everybody had a great time,” Mayor Michelle Nelson said after the parade.
Nelson gave a short speech based on “an old Irish blessing that I adapted for Flossmoor.”
“May your troubles be less. May your blessings be more. And may peace, love and happiness always cross your door here in Flossmoor,” Nelson said. “Happy Saint Patrick’s Day everybody. Thank you for coming out.”
