Growing up in Beverly, Mary Kate Barron said her family’s tradition was to watch the South Side Irish Parade.
Barron, 24, said she remembers watching the floats go by and waving at the parade’s queen, who each year inspired her to become a successful woman. This year, Barron will be queen for the parade.
“It was always a dream, but it seemed so far away. I thought of the queen as someone who was so polished and poised, something I would always hope to be in my young professional career,” Barron said.
Barron’s Irish roots stem from County Kerry, County Clare and County Mayo Ireland, she said. Her grandmother grew up in County Kerry, she said, but lived with Barron’s family when she was growing up and had a strong influence.
Barron said her family and friends have supported her dreams including attending St. Ignatius High School and John Caroll University in Ohio, and running the 2023 Chicago Marathon.
At the start of 2024, Barron said she began thinking about how she could thank and honor her grandmother, family and friends. Barron, a tax accountant, said she thought becoming the 2024 South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade Queen would be a way to do that.
A panel of judges, including 2013 Queen Margaret McGann, 2018 Queen Colleen Krahn, South Side Irish Parade Chair Marianne Rowan Leslie and committee member Collen Loher, interviewed 14 candidates and selected Barron.
“Mary Kate is very dedicated to the South Side Irish community and holds the parade in a special place in her heart,” said Mary Kay Gavin-Marmo, executive director of the Professional Irish Women of Chicago and director of the South Side Irish Queen Contest.
Barron said when she heard her name announced at the pre-parade fundraiser March 2, she was in complete shock.
“I think my jaw just dropped to the floor,” Barron said. “I was totally surprised.”
As a child attending the parade, Barron said she always looked forward to spending time with her three younger brothers, parents, cousins and friends. As queen, Barron said she looks forward to seeing members of the community she hasn’t seen in recent years.
For example, Barron said she enjoyed participating in the Irish Soda Bread Contest Saturday at Reilly’s Daughter in Oak Lawn, where she reconnected with a lot of people from her childhood.
At the contest, June Taylor, of Indian Head Park, won first place and two plane tickets to Ireland, said soda bread contest emeritus Boz O’Brien. Terri Gorman, of Palos Heights, came in second place and won $300, and Alice McLaughin, of Downers Grove, won third place and $200.
Baron said the moment she’s most anticipating is seeing her family in its usual spot at 104th Street.
“I think it will be really emotional. It’s that bittersweet excitement where I wish I was with them but I’m still representing them. They’re so excited,” Barron said.
Parade day information
The 46th South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade steps off at noon Sunday at 103rd and Western Avenue, traveling south to 115th and Western. The parade’s grand marshal is Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, and the honoree is Smith Village.
Representing Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana as Grand Marshal will be CEO Holly Buckendahl, regional director of programs and operations Anne Czarnecki and chief marketing officer Ruth-Anne Renaud.
Representing Smith Village as parade honoree will be CEO Kevin McKee, executive director Marti Jatis and Smith Village residents.
The parade will include 14 bands, including Stockyard Kilty, Chicago’s oldest continuously run pip and drum band; Irish dance schools; the original Baby Buggy parade float from the first South Side Irish Parade in 1979; and floats with live Irish music.
Ahead of the parade, NASCAR Chicago Street Race will hold a pre-parade pit stop from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at 103rd and Western Avenue that will include Sim Car racing with a NASCAR simulator and RC cars on a mini map of the Chicago Street Race.
Street parking is not allowed beginning at 6 a.m. Sunday on Western Avenue from 99th Street to 119th Street. No street parking will be allowed starting at 8 a.m. on the east side of Artesian from 103rd to 111th streets.
Drivers should expect traffic restrictions on Western Avenue and surrounding side streets starting at 9 a.m. The traffic restrictions should be lifted by 3 p.m.
Metra will operate extra service on its Rock Island line Sunday, with the stations at 103rd Street/Beverly Hills and 111th Street/Morgan Park within walking distance of the parade route.
akukulka@chicagotribune.com
