The 13th Annual St. Patrick's Day kicked off to warmer weather and clearing skies.

Parade Queen Caitlin Nora Synowiec and the Ploughboys

St. Patrick (Bob Welsh) enjoys seeing a very good crowd viewing the Parade in Downtown Naperville.

Members of West Suburban Irish and their children wave to the crowd.

Quigley's Irish Pub pays tribute to St. James Gate in Dublin. Parade Sponsor Quigley's received an award for its float.

Jim Brady, running for Governor, followed.

In an election year, politicians are sure to be represented in the Parade. Here, Randy Hultgren & his supporters pass by.

State Rep. Jim Meyer salutes the reviewing stand.

Sgt. Tim Jordan and other shavees show off their freshly shaved heads, raising money for children's cancer research and the St. Baldrick's Foundation.

Parade-goers were both entertained and well-protected by the DuPage County Sheriff's Department.

Honorary Grand Marshall Dan Casey views the Parade with Naperville Mayor George Pradel, Parade Co-Chair Nancy Quigley, and West Suburban Irish member Mike Reilly.

Dan and the Mayor are happy that Dan's promise of good weather was fulfilled.

Thanks, Dan!

The McNulty Irish Dancers high-step their way down the Parade route.

The McNulty group was well-represented, and received a Parade award for their entry.

The South Side Irish and their award-winning float.

More South Side Irish Relocated, carrying signs showing their original parishes in Chicago.

Rose McMahon is happy to be wearing shorts in the Parade this year.

Joe Birkett represented his running mate, Judy Baar Topinka.

Every parade needs at least one good fire engine. We had several.

The First National Bank of Naperville displayed two large Irish flags, while Jim Oberweis' campaign for Governor followed.

The bed races will return to Naper Days this year. Last year's champions marched (or rode) in the Parade.

Got Guv?

Chuck Clarke of Lisle Township shows his support for Jim Healy and Rick Tarulis, running for County Board, and the World Champion Chicago White Sox.

There were a Heap of candidates in the Parade, including Bob Heap and family.

Harris Fawell marched with the Heap campaign.

Parade Sponsor Costco Wholesale also appeared in the Parade.

The law firm of Dommermuth Brestal Cobine & West distributes candy to the crowd. The firm was an Emerald sponsor of the Parade.

Peggy Pizza and Russ Whitaker enjoying the Parade.

Naperville City Council members Krause, Miller, Rosanova and Senger on their second lap. Here, they are marching with the Furstenau campaign group.

The ever-growing Houlihan Clan.

More Houlihans.

Still more Houlihans.

There were so many, they naturally won the "Most Irish" award from the Parade Committee.

Connelly for County Board.

Mike Connelly, a Village of Lisle Trustee running for County Board, had nearly a hundred supporters dressed in green to support his campaign.

Note the replica World Series championship trophy.

The Saints Peter & Paul marching band, cheerleaders and eighth grade class.

The cheerleaders show their school spirit. It won them an award.

The band won an award, too.

Democrat Bill Reedy is running for Congress.

The Knights of Columbus add a spiritual element to the Parade.

The Firefighters Highland Guard of Naperville is very welcome to the Parade, and performed well, garnishing an award from the Parade Committee.

Here they make the turn at Jackson and Main Street.

The Naperville Area Homeowners Confederation returned to the Parade again this year.

Joe Shannon, running for Congress, had a lovely float and many enthusiastic supporters.

Tim Connell is running for DuPage County Sheriff.

Esin Busche is running for DuPage County Board.

A.D.O.P.T. brought volunteers and pooches available for adoption.

Here are just two of the dogs brought by A.D.O.P.T.

The entire galaxy enjoys St. Patrick's Day, including these Star Wars characters.

The Weber Irish Dancers and their families showed up in great number.

The Weber group displays their Irish-American pride.

Residents of Independence Village rode in the Parade.

The West Suburban Shriners had their own mode of transportation.

There were plenty of Girl Scouts in the Parade. Here are the Junior Girl Scouts of Troop 824.

Businesses such as Ryan Hill Realty help make the Parade a success. Jack Persin waves to the reviewing stand.

Teresa Ryan is happy to share green beads with Mayor Pradel and Dan Casey.

Annette (Wehrli) Kennedy shows off her Casey's Foods attire while driving a Naperville Trolley.

The sign says it all.

Pre-schoolers were curious about the Fun Bus.

The River provided wonderful radio coverage of the Parade.

Roxanne's Dance & Fitness shows there are many ways of celebrating the holiday.

A Naperville Newfoundland Club member looks back at the Verlo Mattress men.

Cub Scouts in Pack 66 show their fitness.

Elmwood School's Environmental Club members are really "green," wearing crowns supplied by Liberty Tax Services.

Alden of Naperville returned to the Parade.

Newcomer Two Bostons had a big turnout of customers with two legs and four legs.

As usual, food was collected for the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry.

The Trail Riders of DuPage brought a variety of horses to the Parade.

Parade Queen Caitlin Nora Synowiec and her grandmother, Belmullet's own Nonnie Marovich.

"May the sun shine warm upon your face"

Bagpipers, float drivers, spectators and everyone Irish made their way to Quigley's Irish Pub after the Parade.

Sgt. Tim Jordan relaxes with Grand Marshall Dan Casey.

St. Baldrick's raised over $96,000 this year. The West Suburban Irish presented Tim with a check for $2,500.

A festive atmosphere inside Quigley's.