Mar 27, 2009 11:05 pm US/Central
Irish Parade May Move To Evergreen Park
Suburb's Mayor Suggests Idea, But Wants Community Support First
EVERGREEN PARK, Ill. (CBS) ―
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The South Side Irish Parade would be relocated to south suburb Evergreen Park, under an idea proposed by the village's mayor.
CBS
The South Side Irish parade may go on next year, after all – just in a different spot.
CBS 2's Dana Kozlov asks: How does a "south suburban Irish parade" sound?
It's Friday night, and Roseangela's Restaurant on 95th Street in Evergreen Park is hopping.
But table talk isn't focused on pizza toppings. Instead, there was a lot of chatter about bringing the South Side Irish Parade to this south suburb.
After parade organizers canceled next year's parade -- in part, due to crime and drunken behavior -- Evergreen Park's mayor, James Sexton, sent out an email asking folks what they thought about bringing it to his village.
It would essentially move the street pageant from its 103rd and Western Avenue origins in Chicago to 95th street between Francisco and Pulaski. That's the same route used in the village's family-oriented Fourth of July parade.
Some evergreen park residents say why not keep the 30-year tradition alive?
"I think it's OK, whether it's on Western Avenue or 95th Street," Leo Cassidy said. "I'm comfortable with it. I think it's something that should keep happening on the South Side."
"I think it would be under control a lot more because we don't have the bars that Western has," Jim Easterhouse said.
But not everyone is convinced, including Roseangela's owner.
"What would be bad about it … a lot of young people get drunk and do things," Jack Besche said. He conceded relocating the parade could be good for his business.
And South Side Irish purists say a suburban parade just wouldn't be the same.
"We're Chicagoans, we want it to remain in Chicago," South Side native Debbie Romano said.
Mayor Sexton says he wants public opinion to be 75 to 80 percent in favor of the parade, with the weighted vote going to people who live in evergreen park. And he says if they do decide to bring the parade to this stretch of 95th, no hooligans will be allowed.
Sexton said opinion so far is about an even 50-50 split. He says he hopes to make a decision by the end of next week.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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