FPR St. Patrick's Day Celebration 030222

Special Advertising Section A St. Patrick’s Day

Celebration!

A St. Patrick's Day

Celebration

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Why St. Pat’s comes early in Forest Park

M

Chamber’s biggest event is back this Saturday

ore than 31.5 million U.S. residents c l a i m Irish ancestry -- but everybody’s Irish on

By LAURIE KOKENES parade day in Forest Park. We may not bring Executive Director Forest Park Chamber 750,000 people to town like they do in Dublin, but the Forest Park Chamber’s St. Patrick’s Day parade is certainly our most popular event and our attendance numbers are just as impressive. Depending on the weather, parade attendance has reached as high as 8,000 people.

We’ll host the parade this Saturday, March 5. The Chamber chose that path – two weeks before the official day -- initially to ensure that we didn’t compete with local or city parades for entrants or attendance, and to also allow for a second day of celebration.

Not scheduling the parade during the ‘official’ St. Pat’s weekend brings groups of folks to Forest Park twice in March. The early date turned out to be a blessing in 2020 as we were able to sneak in the 25th annual parade just before COVID hit. Little did we

know the challenges everyone would face over the next couple of years or how much we’d miss getting together for our usual events.

As with any event the Chamber hosts, sponsors are key to making this parade possible. Sponsor support allows us to continue this event and create an entertaining line-up that includes entries like Medinah Shriner’s parade units who receive an honorarium for participating.

Event revenue provides about 50% of the Chamber’s income, so the generosity of our sponsors also supports the work of the Chamber.

Who are our parade sponsors? Title sponsors this year are O’Sullivan’s Public House; Fiore Pizzeria & Bakery; Ironworkers Local 1 and Riveredge Hospital.

Advertising sponsors are Mark Hanson Agency/State Farm Insurance; Forest Park Bakery; Mohr Oil; Astro Coleman Entertainment; Republic Services; REM Inc.; Ideal Facilities; Fatduck Tavern & Grill; Christopher B. Burke Engineering; Burke Beverage; Currie Motors and Smooth-ish.

Shamrock sponsors are Little Teeth Big Smiles/Children’s Dentistry; Friends of Brandon Johnson; Our Planet Automotive

and the Park District of Forest Park.

Leprechaun Sponsors are Living Fresh Market, Office Furniture Center and Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Mariyana Sypryopoulos.

Thank you all for supporting the 26th Annual Forest Park Chamber St. Patrick’s Day Parade!

I also want to thank every single Chamber member as well as the Village of Forest Park who each play a vital role in the success of the Chamber and our community.

Together with organizations like Forest Park Arts Alliance, Historical Society of Forest Park as well as our library, park district and community center to name a few, the Chamber’s overall work helps strengthen our local economy by supporting and promoting its members, and by keeping Forest Park’s name at the forefront and driving traffic to Forest Park’s through events and marketing.

Happy parade day and happy St. Patrick’s Day to one and all.

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A St. Patrick’s Day Celebration!

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Celebration!

Faith and begorrah, it’s that time again!

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Eagerly awaited, long-delayed St. Patrick’s Day Parade is at hand at last

ike many of the events sponsored by the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade this Saturday is intended to be good for both the commuBy TOM HOLMES nity and for business.

Contributing Reporter Laurie Kokenes, director of the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce, which is sponsoring the St. Patrick’s Day Parade this Saturday, said that up to 7,000 spectators will be lining Madison Street on Saturday when the parade kicks off at 1 p.m. from Van Buren Street.

An annual harbinger of spring in this town, the parade will feature in the neighborhood of 60 units, including the following: ■ Proviso East High School Marching Band ■ Police and Fire Dept. units with sirens wailing ■ Doonaree Pipe Band ■ Medina Roaring 57’s ■ Children’s Dentistry “tooth car” ■ Band of Brothers Pipe Band ■ Local Politicians “Everyone loves a parade,” said Kokenes, pointing out that the big show is free to the thousands of people who will be lining the street.

The Chamber’s mission statement includes, “enhancing the local business environment and quality of life in our community and promoting Forest Park as a great place to live, work, shop, dine & play.”

Mike Mohr (Sr. and Jr.) aren’t lead sponsors for the event because they get a lot of business by doing so, but because they are genuinely interested in the welfare of the community in which they do business.

“We are happy to be a parade sponsor,” said Michael H. Mohr, president of Mohr

Oil, “and as we are one of Forest Park’s oldest businesses, we are proud to support any type of function that brings our community together.”

The same is true for another title sponsor, Iron Workers, Local 1.

The Proviso East band, does not charge the Chamber anything.

“They participate,” Kokenes explained, “because they want to be part of the community.”

The parade, of course, is good for the taverns lining Madison, providing many options in the area for folks looking for an excuse to have a cold one … or two … and literally thousands of people will be standing at their doorsteps.

Marty Sorice, who owns multiple bars in town, reported, “It is the best day of the year for Angelo’s and Shortstop. It is a good day for Blueberry and Circle, but it hasn’t affected Carole’s and Pioneer much at all.

St. Patty’s Parade primarily helps Madison Street.

“But, it’s more than the increased revenue,” Sorice added. “It’s knowing that we are an integral part of making a fun event occur. My staff always looks forward to it so much.”

The same is true for the eateries along the parade route.

But even though sales may not increase for some businesses on that day, Kokenes explained, events like the parade, the Wine Walk (April 23 this year) and the Holiday Walk (in December) show off many of the unique shops on Madison with the hope that spectators will notice them and return on another day.

“Special events,” Kokenes explained, “bring anywhere from several hundred to thousands of people to Downtown Forest Park. Positive unique events keep Forest Park’s name at the forefront, creates positive press, drives traffic to our downtown business district and all in all allow visitors to see all that Forest Park has to offer. They bring new folks to the area and keeps them

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from everyone at the Pool passes go on sale April 1!

Summer Camp registration begins March 7 for residents, March 21 for non-residents.

Alex Rogals/Staff Photographer

Attendees shake hands with a “leprechaun” during the annual Forest Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 2019. coming back.”

The Chamber is funded approximately 50% from event revenue and 50% from membership dues. It invests a lot of money on the parade to make it a quality event. The organization pays for the three Medinah units — Mini Shoppers, Roaring 57’s and Motor Corps — as well as two pipe bands (with Burke Beverage) and a donation to Toys for Tots.

Income from the event comes from sponsorships and entry fees: ■ Chamber member business $65 ■ Non-member business $120 ■ Non-Profit/Political $45 ■ Residents/Individuals $30 ■ Large groups of residents/individuals $45

Kokenes added, “We’re selling parade merchandise, too (www.etstores.com/FORESTPARKSTPATSPARADE).

Aware that Forest Parkers may be experiencing COVID fatigue, Kokenes said, “Lots of regular folks, businesses and political candidates are excited to get out and celebrate something ... and everyone loves a parade!”

St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held on March 5, beginning at 1 p.m. on Madison Street, heading east from Van Buren.

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The Village of Forest Park wishes everyone a very Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Enjoy the parade and celebrate at one of our many local businesses.

We are glad to have you back!

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Mayor Rory Hoskins Mayor Rory Hoskins

Ryan Nero Maria Commissioner Joe Byrnes Jessica Commissioner Jessica Voogd Commissioner Maxham Joe Byrnes Commissioner RyanCommissioner Nero Commissioner Commissioner Voogd Commissioner Maxham Maria

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day and enjoy the parade!

Celebration!

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It’s not all candy and beer Great eats, some green, along Madison St. on parade day

By CHRISTINE BARNARD

Something healthy

Forest Park Chamber

After a year’s hiatus due to COVID, the beloved Forest Park St. Patrick’s Day’s Parade is back on March 5. Hosted by the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce, the parade will have 60+ entries including bagpipers, marching bands, Irish dancers, local business entries, Medinah Shriner parade units, local police and fire departments and more.

While the kids are filling their bags with candy along the parade route, we invite you to stop by one of the many local restaurants along Madison Street to grab some amazing food. Whether you are in the mood for Italian, BBQ, Mexican, Cajun or Irish, our local restaurants are celebrating all things green.

Last time we counted, your options for a corned beef sandwich on parade day are at least 10.

Here are some other fun options.

Something Irish Slainte, 7505 Madison St., will be serving Irish Coffee, Irish mules and corned beef sandwiches. Doors open at 11 a.m. For more fun, their resident DJ will be playing on both floors.

If you are looking for something healthy, make sure to check out newcomer Smoothish, 7415 Madison St. They are rolling out a new drink just for parade day named the O’Green. This juice will consist of celery, orange, kale, apple, and ginger.

Not all parade menus are finalized so please follow Explore Forest Park on Facebook for updated information.

We can’t wait to see you on Madison Street on Parade Day!

The Brown Cow, 7347 Madison St., is also joining the fun by selling corned beef and potato hand pies. These are great to-go items to grab as you watch the parade.

DuckFat, 7218 Madison St., is offering traditional favorites including a corned beef sandwich with hand-cut fries, corned beef and cabbage and, the less traditional, Irish nachos.

Small Batch, 7441 Madison St., is a parade day favorite serving up their world-famous smoked pastrami sandwich. These are also a great grab and go option.

Make sure to stop by O’Sullivan’s Public House, 7244 Madison St. They are one of the parade’s title sponsors and are sure to have some amazing Irish food on the menu.

Madison St., to get your sugar fix. They are offering shamrock marshmallows dipped in chocolate, green sprinkle, green sugar cookies, shamrock hot chocolate and leprechaun crunch. We’re not sure exactly what leprechaun crunch is but anything that owner Joana makes is amazing so make sure to try it!

Looking for a hot drink? Look no further than Kribi Coffee, 7324 Madison St. Their Irish themed drinks are 20% off on parade day and include Dublin the Fun Mocha, Life of the Mardi Spritzer, Paddy It Up Shake, RBG Matcha. The kids can enjoy a 12 oz hot cocoa for $2. To celebrate their new partnership with Oak Park’s Onion Roll they will be sampling green bagels.

Something green The Forest Park Bakery, 7332 Madison St., will be giving away mini green donuts.

Make sure to grab one while they are available. They are also sure to have many other sweet treats as well as Irish soda bread.

Looking for some more sweets?

Make sure you stop by The Brown Cow, 7347 Madison St., for some sweet ‘green inspired’ treats including Mint chip ice cream sandwiches, Green River floats and mint chip shakes.

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Mention this ad or the code SHAMROCK when making your appointment.

Discount applies to new and existing clients as well as all existing estimates.

Schedule your appointment today with one of your vaccinated technicians!

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Physicians are on the medical staff of these facilities, but, with limited exceptions, are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of these facilities. The facilities shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians.

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