Tinley Park prepares for largest Irish parade on March 9

The Marketing Commission Meeting for the Village of Tinley Park, held on February 26, 2025, focused primarily on preparations for the upcoming Timber Park Irish Parade, scheduled for March 9, 2025. This year marks the 25th annual parade, which is anticipated to be the largest in its history, featuring nearly 90 entries.

The commission discussed the new entry system implemented for this year's parade, which prioritized applications from Tinley Park businesses for a three-week period before opening up to outside businesses for a brief five-day window. This change aims to enhance local participation and support community businesses.

Six sponsors have committed to this year's event, including CIBC Bank, Heat and Frost Insulators Local 17, Servpro of Tinley Park, UChicago Medicine, and West Side Children's Therapy. The meeting highlighted the significance of the parade as a kickoff for the event season, with hopes for favorable weather conditions to ensure a successful turnout.

The parade will commence at 1 PM from Central Middle School, following a traditional route. Last year, the event featured 85 floats, with the last float crossing the train tracks shortly after 3:30 PM. The commission expressed optimism for this year's event and encouraged community engagement.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the importance of the Timber Park Irish Parade in fostering community spirit and supporting local businesses, setting a positive tone for the upcoming event.