South Side Irish parade committee hosts fundraiser

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Updated: March 8, 2012 8:02AM

A fundraiser to help offset costs associated with hosting the renewed South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade is scheduled for 6 to 10 p.m. Feb. 18 at 115 Bourbon Street, 3359 W. 115th St. in Merrionette Park, the parade committee said in a news release.

Regarded as the first official celebration marking the return of the parade, the fundraiser will help the committee meet the mounting costs for barricades, portable toilets, marketing, security and cleanup.

The parade is set to return to Western Avenue on March 11. After the last parade in 2009, the event was cancelled because of drunken and rowdy behavior.

Advance tickets will be $25 ($30 at the door) for food, beverages, live music and door prizes. The Larkin and Moran Brothers will perform traditional Gaelic music. The evening will include silent auctions, raffles, split-the-pot and more.

Tickets can be bought in advance at O’Brien Pub, 10934 S. Western Ave. in Chicago, or the parade committee’s offices next door to the pub.

For more information, call (708) 388-8881.