Chicago South Side Irish Parade
by Ms. Babble on March 8, 2008
in My Life in General
The South Side Irish Day parade is here again!
It’s been a tradition for myself and the crew for the last five (?) years now. I’ve lost count. Mostly due to inebriation. Not once have I actually seen the parade. Instead, we head on down to Cork & Kerry’s on Western Ave in Chicago around 7am to wait for the bar to open at 11am. I think the parade starts around noonish. Who knows. One year I think I caught a glimpse of a float. Or could have just as easily have been a really tall dude dressed in green.
Needless to say, we’re not completely sane.
I’m coming prepared with a mini keg:
As you can see, I’m going a little easy on myself this year and opted for Light.
EDIT 9 March 2008 at 5:57 AM:
From the Chicago Suntimes, “Ten Tips to Survive the South Side Irish Parade”:
- Take public transportation or park near the route the night before, and have someone drop you off on parade day.
- Wear old clothes and lousy but comfortable shoes.
- If you don’t have time for a real breakfast, drink a Bloody Mary.
- The parade kicks off at noon. Drinkers line up outside taverns on Western before the doors open to get a good spot at the bar.
- Expect to drink beer out of a plastic bucket and to pay North Side prices — and then some.
- Being friendly has its advantages. If you can’t make out with a stranger at the parade, you can’t make out with a stranger anywhere.
- If the guy next to you looks like he might be a cop, he probably is.
- Don’t even think about trying to run a tab or use a credit card to pay for drinks.
- What not to do when nature calls? Don’t pee on any trees. Don’t pee in the alleys. Don’t pee in the alley, again. Don’t walk into someone’s house party uninvited and use their toilet.
- If you come to the parade on a bus from a North Side bar, don’t miss the last bus home.
UPDATE 9 March 2008 at 9:03 PM:
Yes, I had a blast and yes, I’m hurting for it.
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arrrrrrrrgggggggggghhhhhh!!!!! *shakes fist at sky* this is the FIRST S Side ive missed in like, 8 years. DAAAMMMNNNNNIT! oh im so jealous. so jealous. but you know what, i havent used my ice scraper at ALL this year. pick yer battles. be safe! oh and i think this year is your 6th? yes. 6th. could be 7th. meh.
@Tina… You drunk already? Ain’t no comment showin’.
@Betsy… Yes, I knew your liver would be twitching today. But let me just say that today they’re forecasting a high of 34 F. That’s the HIGH. When we all get down there, it’ll only be 17. Don’t even get me started on the wind chill.