South Side Irish St. Patrick's Day Celebration (Pt. 1)

It's the capstone event for a "revised" tradition in the wake of the 31st annual South Side Irish Parade. The new family-friendly celebration is just that: loaded with families. And that's not a bad thing. By 4 p.m. (just halfway through the marathon 12-hour fest) hundreds of families had packed the Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., to continue the tradition.

Noticeably absent was the booze. Oh sure, there were beer stations set up under the massive tent in the BAC's parking lot, but they were eerily quiet, with only the occasional beer drinker stopping by for one or two. Good or bad, though, that's the way it is.

Even before the last float crossed 115th Street last year, there were rumors about the 31-year-old event being canceled. The good weather didn't help things, as thousands of boozers from around the Midwest converged on Beverly and Morgan Park, assaulting police and urinating in neighbors' yards.

The family fest is simply an extension of what's been going at the BAC for years. After the parade, families would gather for harmless fun and games. This year's event features face-painting, crafts, live entertainment, a best-dressed Irish dog contest and karaoke.

Warnings were posted throughout the main festival about police surveillance and alcohol limitations. Aside from the lonely beer stations and live music, adults had little to do except watch the kids enjoy themselves. Police were conspicuous. Glitter, craft paper and face paint was everywhere.

But there's the rub: It was almost too family-friendly.

And even that wasn't a guarantee: Although the tent was set up in the BAC's parking lot, puddles of water remained. Yes, this was a family function, but young children couldn't even run around because - as my wife and I found out - our son wound up face-first in a dirty puddle after falling to the ground.

Nonetheless, the even went on without any problems, and organizers were pleased with the turnout, which was a huge question mark. Now there's just one question left to answer: What about next year?

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[Tmetrvlr]

Stupid Commie wench Ginger let the parade go to pot for her practical greasing for security & upkeep, And those freaking planters she desired to have installed down S.Western. Enjoy your life as a civilian, Ho-ho!!!!!!!.

[johnrusselle]

Never heard of them. I had to leave before they started playing as well. Since I came after 4, we were charged 25 dollars per person. If some 'famous' band was going to play at 8 pm, they should have charged 25 dollars after 7 if that it was they thought was the appropriate amount, but even then it was probably too much.

Yours is the first positive comment I have seen in any of the online media about this event. Everybody else is bitching about it.

[jcoakley]

John, you must not have seen that huge tent in the parking lot? That was where the critically-acclaimed musician Michael McDermott & Irish rock band The Hothouse Flowers performed in the evening. $25 was not a bad deal if you think about it.

[johnrusselle]

What you have is an event that appealed to many tens of thousands of people from across the south side and suburbs ( the parade) being replaced by a neighborhood event on a small site that appeals to a relatively small group of locals. It reminded me exactly of Irish fests various parishes have and have had throughout the years. A bunch of family and friends standing around talking each other to death. Sorry, not worth 25 bucks or more than an hour or so of time.