Latest news with #IrishParade
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dye the dog green: the Mystic Irish Parade returns
Mystic — This year's Irish Parade drew between 25,000 and 30,000 spectators to the village Sunday, wearing green top hats, shamrock earrings and the almost ubiquitous green beaded necklaces. Bagpipes blared. At least one dog, a Boston terrier, was dyed green. Babies in green knit caps were cradled in carriers so parents could eat pizza and hot dogs. Mystic Irish Parade Foundation Vice President Neil Ryan said more than 80 groups and about 2,000 marchers, bagpipers, floats, civic organizations, first responders, joined the tens of thousands of paradegoers. More than 300 volunteers worked to make the parade's 17th year another successful one. He pegged this year's crowd at 25,000 to 30,000. One Mystic resident, Julie Eliason, lives right on the parade route, her home a former liquor store. She and her 10-year-old Yorkshire terrier Milly sat outside her home. I moved here about 10 years ago, and that first year I had no idea there was any kind of parade," Eliason said. "Every year it builds a little more, it builds a little more, it's just fun," she said. "The town instantly coming together, that's the most fun." She also wore Irish-themed accessories, a white, shamrock-patterned scarf, yet another green headband topped by shamrocks on springs. The best part of Mystic's parade, she said, is that it happens after St. Patrick's Day — so all the green gear is steeply discounted. The cheaper prices let her stock up and pass out festive goodies. Leicester, Mass. resident Danielle Babbitt and her 2-year-old son Sebastian Babbitt were first-timers, making the 80-mile drive pretty much on impulse. "I have no clue what the heck this is all about," Danielle Babbitt said. It was the first parade Babbitt expects her son will remember, she said as Sebastian turned a pinecone into a magic wand. Lisa Konicki was also a first-timer, but as a marcher in the parade queue. She is president of the Westerly, R.I.-based Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce, which is celebrating its 100th year. "We felt because it's our hundredth, we'd do this and the Columbus Day parade to say thanks for the support," Konicki said. The chamber's float had a large Irish-themed nutcracker and an anchor, the chamber's insignia, that was taller than a pick-up truck. Maggie Henderson, who directs the parades volunteers, said planning the day had gone smoothly. "We're a well-oiled machine at this point," Henderson said. Henderson has been volunteering for 15 years. It's the joy that keeps bringing her back. "It's usually a very fun day, sometimes a little crazy," Henderson said. Every year, her favorite moment is seeing the floats begin their procession. Middletown Pipes and Drums marched in the parade for the 12th time this year, and band member Lori Connor said the village's parade is the best of all the parades they do, Hartford, Meriden, Essex, to name a few. "It's the most Irish," Connor said. "This is the one that feels perfect. Connor said being around all that Irish-ness was good prep for the band's upcoming trip to a world bagpipe competition in Ireland, where she said she and the band will do their best to represent America in what Connor called a meaningful cultural exchange.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rebuilt Teehan's in Tinley Park aims to respect tavern's long legacy
A large crowd of revelers, most wearing green for St. Patrick's Day, rechristened Teehan's, a popular Irish bar in downtown Tinley Park. Mayor Michael Glotz said Teehan's 'is a storied name here in Tinley Park' and represents the 'cornerstone of the entire Harmony Square development.' Teehan's, at the northeast corner of Oak Park Avenue and North Street, is part of the village's larger Harmony Square project that will include an outdoor music venue north of the Oak Park Avenue Metra station. It is slated to be ready sometime this summer. Located for decades in a building put up long before Tinley Park was founded, Teehan's was demolished last March to make way for a near replica on the same site. It is now owned by the village but operated by a longtime restaurant owner in the southwest suburbs. Teehan's has been a popular spot for the village's annual Irish Parade, and longtime patrons and fans had bid farewell to the original Teehan's early last March, during Tinley Park's 24th annual installment of the parade. Teehan's had a soft opening for this year's parade March 9, but was formally reopened for business on Monday. 'It's been a home away from home, a gathering place,' Glotz said Monday outside Teehan's. 'It has helped define downtown Tinley for decades.' Tinley Park paid $200,000 for the Teehan's property, including the intellectual and other property, which includes the names Teehan's and Teehan's Irish Bar as well as the phone numbers, email address and website. When plans were first announced to raze Teehan's and put up a replica, longtime fans of the tavern asked why the building couldn't be saved and rehabbed. Engineers examined the structure and determined it would not be safe to try to use the existing building, mainly due to an eroding foundation as the building is well over a century old. Regis Teehan operated the bar for 34 years before retiring in September 2023, and it was in her family since 1917. In designing and building a replica, Glotz said the village strived to respect the long legacy of Teehan's and worked with Regis Teehan to stay true to the tavern's heritage. He said that while the building may be new, 'the old Teehan's is still very much alive and well.' One customer helping celebrate the reopening Monday was Paul Mellen, of Plainfield. 'It's good,' he said of the new look. He said he had previously been to the old Teehan's two or three times, and that it is largely unchanged but 'more inviting' and cleaner. Tom McAuliffe, owner of Durbin's Pizza restaurants in the southwest suburbs, operated Teehan's after Regis Teehan's retirement and is running the rechristened tavern. He will also have a separate Durbin's Pizza in the building, which will have a second-floor banquet/event space. For several years McAuliffe owned a Durbin's restaurant on Oak Park Avenue just north of Teehan's. He said Monday that he was skeptical of the tight deadline of one year the village had outlined to build the new Teehan's. 'I had to admit I kind of doubted it,' McAuliffe said. He praised village officials for moving ahead with the multimillion-dollar Harmony Square development, which will also see apartments built to the east and north of the plaza. 'I think this project is going to be the crown jewel of Tinley Park,' McAuliffe said. The first business on the site was built in 1852 and called the Pacific Hotel, reflecting the owner's hope the nearby railroad line would ultimately extend to the Pacific Ocean, according to a May 2003 Chicago Tribune article. It later became the Tinley Park Hotel.
Chicago Tribune
18-03-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Rebuilt Teehan's in Tinley Park aims to respect tavern's long legacy
A large crowd of revelers, most wearing green for St. Patrick's Day, rechristened Teehan's, a popular Irish bar in downtown Tinley Park. Mayor Michael Glotz said Teehan's 'is a storied name here in Tinley Park' and represents the 'cornerstone of the entire Harmony Square development.' Teehan's, at the northeast corner of Oak Park Avenue and North Street, is part of the village's larger Harmony Square project that will include an outdoor music venue north of the Oak Park Avenue Metra station. It is slated to be ready sometime this summer. Located for decades in a building put up long before Tinley Park was founded, Teehan's was demolished last March to make way for a near replica on the same site. It is now owned by the village but operated by a longtime restaurant owner in the southwest suburbs. Teehan's has been a popular spot for the village's annual Irish Parade, and longtime patrons and fans had bid farewell to the original Teehan's early last March, during Tinley Park's 24th annual installment of the parade. Teehan's had a soft opening for this year's parade March 9, but was formally reopened for business on Monday. 'It's been a home away from home, a gathering place,' Glotz said Monday outside Teehan's. 'It has helped define downtown Tinley for decades.' Tinley Park paid $200,000 for the Teehan's property, including the intellectual and other property, which includes the names Teehan's and Teehan's Irish Bar as well as the phone numbers, email address and website. When plans were first announced to raze Teehan's and put up a replica, longtime fans of the tavern asked why the building couldn't be saved and rehabbed. Engineers examined the structure and determined it would not be safe to try to use the existing building, mainly due to an eroding foundation as the building is well over a century old. Regis Teehan operated the bar for 34 years before retiring in September 2023, and it was in her family since 1917. In designing and building a replica, Glotz said the village strived to respect the long legacy of Teehan's and worked with Regis Teehan to stay true to the tavern's heritage. He said that while the building may be new, 'the old Teehan's is still very much alive and well.' One customer helping celebrate the reopening Monday was Paul Mellen, of Plainfield. 'It's good,' he said of the new look. He said he had previously been to the old Teehan's two or three times, and that it is largely unchanged but 'more inviting' and cleaner. Tom McAuliffe, owner of Durbin's Pizza restaurants in the southwest suburbs, operated Teehan's after Regis Teehan's retirement and is running the rechristened tavern. He will also have a separate Durbin's Pizza in the building, which will have a second-floor banquet/event space. For several years McAuliffe owned a Durbin's restaurant on Oak Park Avenue just north of Teehan's. He said Monday that he was skeptical of the tight deadline of one year the village had outlined to build the new Teehan's. 'I had to admit I kind of doubted it,' McAuliffe said. He praised village officials for moving ahead with the multimillion-dollar Harmony Square development, which will also see apartments built to the east and north of the plaza. 'I think this project is going to be the crown jewel of Tinley Park,' McAuliffe said. The first business on the site was built in 1852 and called the Pacific Hotel, reflecting the owner's hope the nearby railroad line would ultimately extend to the Pacific Ocean, according to a May 2003 Chicago Tribune article. It later became the Tinley Park Hotel.
Chicago Tribune
12-03-2025
- Climate
- Chicago Tribune
St. Patrick's Day 2025: Where to watch Chicago River dyeing and parades
The Saturday before St. Patrick's Day means green will be seen all around the city — including the Chicago River. Here's what you need to know if you plan to catch a parade or the river-dyeing process. The dyeing process starts Saturday morning (usually at 10 a.m.) and stretches from Orleans Street almost three-quarters of a mile east to Columbus Drive. The task usually takes 45 minutes to complete. Spectators can watch along Upper Wacker Drive. The Riverwalk will be closed starting Friday night and reopen Sunday. Bridges will be closed to spectators during river dyeing except for Orleans Street and Columbus and LaSalle drives, which will remain open to vehicles and pedestrians. Want to take a ride on the newly tinted water? Depending on which direction the wind is blowing, the water can stay green for up to a few days. Chicago Water Taxi begins its seasonal service Saturday. Wendella, Chicago's First Lady and Shoreline Sightseeing also offer a variety of tours. That one time the river was dyed blue A crew dyed the Chicago River blue in 2016 to celebrate the World Series champion Cubs on the day of the team's victory parade and celebration. What's the weather forecast? Saturday will be partly sunny but very windy — with gusts up to more than 45 mph at times — and highs in the mid-60s, according to the National Weather Service Chicago office. When does the downtown St. Patrick's Day Parade take place? There is about a two-hour gap between when dyeing of the Chicago River begins and the parade — which is in its 70th year — steps off. Starting at 11 a.m., spectators can only access the parade route via Jackson Boulevard and Ida B. Wells Drive. All bags and purses will be checked at these entrances. Leave coolers, alcoholic beverages and water bottles at home. VIP seating is sold out. Day: Saturday Start time: 12:15 p.m. Stepping off from: The corner of Columbus and Balbo drives and heading north on Columbus about a half-mile to Monroe Street. Road closures: Columbus Drive will be closed to vehicles from Wacker Drive south to Roosevelt Road starting at 8 a.m. Saturday. Theme: 'Trades, technology and education' Grand marshal: Mark McManus, general president of United Association Guest of honor: Mary Ellen Caron, CEO of After School Matters Queen: Cara Walsh Watching from home? Tune into WLS-Ch. 7 's livestream. Details for other parades in the city: Archer Avenue St. Patrick's Day Parade: Starts at noon at Archer and Oak Park Avenues and will march east to Merrimac Avenue. Northwest Side Irish Parade: Starts at noon Sunday at 6634 W. Raven St. (outside William J. Onahan Elementary School), then proceeds south on Neola Avenue to Northwest Highway, then north on Northwest Highway to Harlem Avenue. South Side Irish Parade: Starts at noon Sunday at the intersection of 103rd Street and Western Avenue, then proceeds south on Western to 115th Street. Vintage Chicago Tribune: The city's St. Patrick's Day traditions What's the best way to get downtown Saturday? Due to expected large crowds and street closures, organizers say plan extra time to travel to these events and consider using public transportation. Chicago Transit Authority Unlimited ride passes are available for one day ($5) and can be purchased through the Ventra app. Check out for bus and rail fare information, route schedules and maps. Rail lines: Red Line: Exit at Monroe station and walk a few blocks east. Blue Line: Exit at Washington station and walk a few blocks east. Elevated lines (Brown, Green, Pink or Orange): Exit at Washington/Wabash or Adams/Wabash stations. Buses: Road closures will cause reroutes. Metra Metra offers two weekend-pass options. Unlimited rides on Saturday or Sunday are $7. Up to three children age 11 and under can ride free with each fare-paying adult. A weekend pass includes unlimited rides for $10, available only in the Ventra app. Six Metra lines connect to Union Station and Ogilvie Transportation Center. One connects to LaSalle Street Station. Check for route schedules and maps. Alcohol and bicycles are not permitted Saturday for all lines and Sunday on Rock Island trains.
Chicago Tribune
09-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Parade goers celebrate new Teehan's in downtown Tinley Park
The stoop is no longer there. That was the only mild complaint Mike Maus, of Tinley Park, had. For the last 10 years or so, Maus and his wife, Cindi, would watch the Tinley Park Irish parade at the top of a stoop at Teehan's tavern. It was a family tradition. But last year, the 171-year-old building that housed the popular bar was torn down weeks after the 2024 running of the parade. They were there for the final day at Teehan's and felt sadness. But swiftly a new Teehan's was built just in time for this year's parade at 17329 Oak Park Ave. The Maus couple set up shop on the sidewalk where the stoop used to be. They also enjoyed a pre-parade celebration inside Teehan's and both were impressed with the place. 'This place is beautiful — isn't it sharp?' Mike Maus said. 'The new floor, the new ceiling, the new walls … yeah, this is great.' The 25th running of the parade had 88 entrants and officials were hoping for 40,000 people on a sunny day that was north of 50 degrees. Last year, under cooler conditions, it drew an estimated 33,000 people. Last year, people were mourning the demise of the old Teehan's. This year people were celebrating the new place, which was open Sunday but will have an official grand opening at 5:30 p.m. on March 17. Many enjoyed the soft opening the day of the parade, including the Maus family. The idea was to give the new place a similar atmosphere as the old bar and it appeared to have succeeded. 'The old place had so much character and so many memories,' Mike Maus said. 'It was so nostalgic. Anybody who would come to Tinley Park was familiar with Teehan's. 'With the new place, it's time for a new chapter in town and making new memories in town. I think people are going to make memories here.' Cindi gave a verbal thumbs up on the new Teehan's. 'I absolutely love this place,' she said. 'Teehan's has been a staple in Tinley Park forever. But times change and things change. We're very happy for what is happening in Tinley Park and in the downtown area.' Erin Kissane, or Orland Park, also made Teehan's her home for the Irish Parade for the last 10 years. 'I like how authentic it is,' she said of the new digs. 'They kept the tradition and the character of the Irish Teehan's. They kept everything alive.' She called the former Teehan's 'vintage' and appreciates that the same people who worked at the old Teehan's are also at the new tavern. Teehan's is a part of Harmony Square and village officials hope to open the rest of it in June. It's going to be a multi-use plaza that will host concerts and other events. The parade had a slight change, with the starting point formerly at Central Middle School moved north a few blocks to 179 Street and Oak Park Avenue. Kassie Kopach, of Willow Springs, has worked as a teacher at Memorial School and Fulton Elementary School for the past 13 years but had never been to the parade prior to Sunday. She brought her family including her son, Cassius, who turned 2 Sunday. She was smart of enough to get there early thanks to the advice of her friend, Jaclyn Crescent of Mokena. But she was also lucky to get a spot near the new starting point because she didn't know about the change. Crescent, a 13-year teacher at Memorial, said she has been coming to the parade for five years. 'I love all the candy,' she said with a smile. 'I also love all of the floats. It's fun to see all of the families enjoying the day.' She said she also goes to the South Side Irish Parade next weekend in Chicago and the Fourth of July parade in Mokena. The Irish Parade offers unpredictability in the weather. 'Today is great,' Crescent said. 'Last year wasn't bad, either. But there have been times I wore a winter coat and was freezing.'
