PEORIA, Ill. – Hundreds lined the streets of downtown Peoria Monday morning to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
The annual parade run by the St. Patrick Society of Peoria weaved its way from Monroe to Main Street, as green-clad revelers cheered them on.
Parade organizer K.C. Murphy says there was a wide range of variety in the more than 100 entries this year.
“A flying pig, a dancing turtle, and lot of local small businesses and families that have put something really special to dazzle and impress,” Murphy said.
The parade also featured high school marching bands, local candidates for office, and a variety of City of Peoria core services. Murphy says while the number of this year’s parade entries are down, the amount has increased a lot in the past five years.
The Irish Mother of Year, Martha Huebner, was honored for playing a role with the St. Patrick Society for more than 20 years. The parade’s Grand Marshall was Terry Tate, who is Treasurer for the Society and Peoria Irish Fest.
“It’s an extreme honor,” Tate said. “I’m so thrilled to be a part of this organization, and to be able to represent the Irish culture in Peoria, my hometown, so it’s just been fantastic.”
One of the floats featured Peoria-area chapters of the Lady’s Ancient Order of Hibernians. The group’s Kay Grillot says it’s a day of celebration.
“It’s a celebration of our Irish heritage,” Grillot said. “That we have the freedoms in America that we didn’t have in Ireland under English suppression. And we’re able to celebrate that.”
