general.dwt

2010 St. Patrick's Day Parade

Downtown Naperville

Saturday

March 13, 2010

10:00 am

Céad míle fáilte!

PARADE NEWS:

The Parade Lineup is now online.

NCTV17 will broadcast this year's parade! (See below.)

Shannon Kelly Webster is named the 2010 Parade Queen!

Read about Shannon on our Parade Queen page.

GRAND MARSHALL:

The Honorary Grand Marshall for the 2010 Parade is Ray McGury, Executive Director of the Naperville Park District.

Ray McGury joined the Naperville Park District in September 2008 with more than 27 years of community leadership, education and law enforcement experience. In his role as Executive Director, Ray oversees a budget of more than $34 million and is responsible for the overall management of a regular staff of 100+, and more than 1,100 seasonal employees. As the head of the District, he is additionally responsible for directing the operations and maintenance of more than 130 parks and facilities across 2,500+ acres, and the offering of more that 900 recreational, arts, athletic and environmental programs for all ages.

Prior to his employment at the park district, Ray served as a leading law enforcement professional with the Naperville Police Department for more than 20 years, retiring at the rank of police captain, and later at the Bolingbrook Police Department where he served as the Chief of Police.

A recipient of numerous awards and honors, Ray has been honored by the Illinois State Crime Commission as Police Chief of the Year and received the Medal of Honor for Bravery from the International Narcotics Officers’ Association. He also received the Naperville Jaycees Distinguished Service Award, the Kreml Leadership Award from Northwestern University, and many others.

An involved community member, Ray has been active in the Illinois Special Olympics, Naperville Ribfest, and has been a volunteer coach for the Naperville and Bolingbrook park districts and YMCA. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Naperville Downtown. Ray is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, and a past member of the Emerald Society/Chicago Chapter. Additionally, he serves as an adjunct professor at the Center for Public Safety at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, an adjunct criminal justice professor at Lewis University in Romeoville, IL, and an instructor for the Department of Homeland Security in Washington D.C.

Ray was born in Chicago and attended Catholic Grammar school (St. Ethelreda). Ray's father was a 40 year veteran of the Chicago Fire Department.

Ray was instrumental in bringing the St. Baldrick's "Shaving the Way" fundraiser to Naperville, which is the charity that the West Suburban Irish have supported with their fundraisers, including the Emerald Dinner, the last few years.

NEW THIS YEAR!

For the first time ever, NCTV17 will be taping Naperville’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Naperville News 17’s Dolly McCarthy and WSI parade founder Kevin Dolan will bring you all the exciting and fun parade coverage. The West Suburban Irish’s St. Patrick’s Day parade has been a tradition in Naperville for 17 years and this year, the parade will feature nearly 100 marchers, floats, bands, a few leprechauns, bagpipers and Irish dancers. You can attend the parade and then re-live the festivities by watching on NCTV17. The parade will begin airing on Saturday, March 13th at 7 pm and will continue to air throughout the month of March. Watch on Channel 17 in Naperville, or through simultaneous video streaming at www.NCTV17.com. The weekly schedule of airtimes can be found on the website as well.

The 2009 St. Patrick's Day Parade enjoyed great weather, a record number of participants, and a great crowd! Many thanks to all who helped with the Parade, and all those who participated or just came out to watch.

The 2010 Parade will be on Saturday, March 13, 2010.

2009 Prize-winning Entries:

Most Irish: Ryan Hill Realty

Best Float: South Side Irish Relocated

Most Colorful: Soul Connection Musical Youth Group

Crowd Favorite: Casey's Foods

Best New Entry: Trinity Irish Dancers

Outstanding Youth Group: Naperville Patriots Football

Outstanding Musical Group: Firefighter Highland Guard of Naperville

Best Four-legged Entry: Two Bostons Pet Boutique

Queen's Choice: McNulty Irish Dancers

Founder's Award: Houlihan Clan

The 2009 Honorary Grand Marshall was State Representative Mike Connelly!

Mike is shown above with the Parade Queen, Bridget Deely (right), and her court, Betsy Kelly and Chelsea Malley.

Mike represents the 48th District in the Illinois House of Representatives.

He is a former trustee in the Village of Lisle, and DuPage County Board member, representing District 5.

Mike and his wife, Lisa, and their children reside in Lisle, and have been great supporters of the West Suburban Irish in recent years, marching in the Parade in great numbers and supporting all of our activities.

Congratulation, and many thanks, Mike! Good job on the weather!

2009 Parade Queen

Our 2009 Parade Queen was Bridget Deely!

Our Queen was joined by her Court, Chelsea Malley (right) and Betsy Kelly (left).

Check out our pictures from the 2009 Parade and prior years.