A Letter from the Keepers of the Tradition

Dear Friends:

The Northwest Irish Parade honors faith, family, and heritage on Chicago's Northwest side. Now in its 23rd year, the Northwest Side St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee has expanded. The Committee was established to celebrate Irish culture and its role in the American experience in the Chicago Northwest Side area.

Last year’s parade was a tremendous success, as our friends and families have greatly expanded.

The Northwest Side Irish Parade Foundation is seeking sponsorships to support our 23rd Annual St. Patrick’s Parade and celebration of Celtic and Gaelic customs and traditions. This is our 23rd parade, but it will mark the 24th year of the Northwest Side Irish as an organization. The marketing opportunities for the Northwest Side Parade Guide, distributed to thousands of people, including parade-day participants and those attending the multiple events leading up to the parade, are exciting. NWSI has thousands of community members participating in the parade, which is a proud effort by everyone involved. We’ll have more surprises for the Northwest Side this year, and with a bit of luck, maybe we’ll even beat last year’s attendance record.

The Northwest Side Irish Parade Foundation is committed to preserving, advancing, and celebrating American Irish, Celtic, and Gaelic traditions and histories, which benefits our local communities and the public. We invite all friends and families, regardless of background, to join the Irish in celebration; after all, it is a celebration of friends and families here on Chicago's Northwest Side. This is for everyone who is Irish or Irish at heart!

The main goal of Northwest Side Irish is to promote our Irish Heritage by organizing and managing the parade. We also take pride in raising awareness and funds for community efforts and charitable groups. Over the past seven years, we’ve supported many philanthropic causes. Misericordia, Muscular Dystrophy, Chicagoland Food Depository, and Dixon Center for Veterans and Military Community Services are a few. Veterans and military families hold a special place in the parade, as our founder, Daniel Murray, is an Army Veteran, and co-founder Elizabeth Murray Belcaster has spent the last ten years working with veterans and military families.

Lastly, and most importantly, we thank the families and businesses that have supported the celebration over the past fourteen years. Our festivities would not be possible without your support. We have raised awareness for local charities and look forward to participating in more worthy causes soon. We at the Northwest Side Irish always seek to do good. Please reach out to us with any suggestions you may have.

Finally, remember to make this Northwest Side St. Patrick's Day Parade FUN!

Respectfully,

Daniel Murray, NWSI President

Elizabeth Murray-Belcaster, NWSI Parade Organizer