The South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Committee announces Grace McKee will serve as the 2025 South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade Queen. McKee was raised in the Beverly neighborhood and is a member of the McKee family, known for their multi-generational association with the Stock Yard Kilty Band which has been a part of the South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade since the “Wee Folks of Washtenaw and Talman” began in 1979. McKee’s papa, Dave McKee Sr. was Pipe Major for more than 28 years, recruiting his four sons Dave Jr., Daniel, Mathew and Luke to the band. Grace also joined the family tradition and played tenor drums until 8th grade.
“My papa, absolutely, looked forward to the South Side Irish Parade every year. As a member of Stock Yard Kilty, I fondly remember just before stepping off, he would adjust my Glengarry bonnet as I somehow never managed to put it on quite right,” says McKee. “I am honored to represent the Parade as Queen this year. In memory of my papa, I hope to build on his love of this celebration and family and hope it brings even more magic to my family and the South Side Irish community,” she adds.
The McKee family tradition continues with Matt McKee, now Pipe Major and Grace’s father, Dave McKee Jr. as Drum Sargent for the now 104-year-old band. It is one of the oldest continuously running pipe bands in the U.S.
McKee is an alumna of Christ the King School, Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School (Chicago) and earned a bachelor of science in aviation and aerospace sustainability from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Univeristy and earned a Master of Science degree in Aviation Management from Southern Illinois University. She is currently employed as a senior consultant at Ricando in Chicago.
McKee is an active volunteer for Make A Wish Foundation helping to make a wish happen for children with critical illnesses. She has also been active with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital helping out at fundraising events and also ran a marathon to raise funds to support the cause.
McKee was one of 12 candidates who took part in the South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade Queen selection process. The Parade Queen candidates were interviewed individually by a panel of independent judges including Kelly Burke, Mayor of Evergreen Park; Morgan Winters and Nikki Harrington, Lemolade Clothing Company; Margaret McGann, 2023 South Side Irish Parade Queen and Shannon Zofki, 2017 South Side Irish Parade Queen and Mary Kate Barron, 2024 South Side Parade Queen passed on the crown to McKee.
“Grace has such strong roots to the South Side Irish Parade and the South Side Irish community and truly holds the parade in a special place in her heart,” said Mary Kay Gavin-Marmo, executive director of the Professional Irish Women of Chicago and director of the South Side Irish Parade Queen Contest. “We are thrilled to have her serve as this year’s Parade Queen,” added Gavin-Marmo.
South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The 47th South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade steps off at 12 noon on Sunday, March 16 led by the Grand Marshal, Big Shoulders Fund that funds schools with demonstrated need, which provide a quality, values-based education for Chicago and Northwest Indiana’s children. Big Shoulders Fund currently serves over 25,000 students across 72 Chicago area schools and 20 Northwest Indiana schools.
The Parade Honoree is Mount Sion Program, Brother Rice High School, a special education inclusion program designed to meet the unique needs of students with moderate cognitive disabilities or significant learning disabilities.
The Parade will feature 100 entries including multiple pipe and drum bands, Irish dancers, a variety of marching bands, festive floats, Irish folk music, area parishes and schools, youth athletic teams, Irish family clans, non profit organizations, small businesses and more.
Local Businesses Help Prepare for Parade Day
Exclusive licensed South Side Irish Parade merchandise and full line of decor is available at South Side Irish Imports in Mount Greenwood.
Neighborhood grocer County Fair Foods brings their annual St. Patrick’s Day special barrel-style corned beef and all the St. Patrick’s Day trim to the community.
Look for area establishments spotlighting Keeper’s Heart Whiskey throughout parade season.
The South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade is generously supported by local area businesses including: County Fair Foods, Old National Bank, Ozinga, Chicago, The Beverly Review, Flood Brothers, McCready Law, Beverly Bank & Trust Company, N.A., Hilton Chicago/Oak Lawn, OSF Little Company of Mary Medical Center, Athletex Physical Therapy, Keeper’s Heart Whiskey, Marquette Bank, The Busking Family, Raising Cane’s, JDog Hauling Oak Lawn, Gas N’ Wash, Disparti Law Group, Today’s Dental of Beverly, Rose Pest Solutions and South Side Irish Imports. Major sponsors include Lakeshore Beverage, Nascar Chicago Street Race, Metra, Chicago White Sox, Roofers and Waterproofers Local 11, UIPAT District 14; Local 130, Local 134, Local 399, Local 150, Guinness, BudLight, Green River, Flood Brothers, Union Life Insurance Company, Com Ed and Megent Financial and more.
Please see southsideirishparadge.org for more information.
About The South Side Irish Parade:
The parade is operated by the South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Heritage Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, where more than 100 volunteers work year-round to ensure this family-friendly celebration continues for future generations.
