South Side Irish Parade Committee Crowns 2018 Queen

MOUNT GREENWOOD, IL -- Coordinators have crowned this year's South Side Irish Parade queen.

Mount Greenwood resident Colleen Krahn was selected from nine candidates during the event's pre-parade fundraising party last weekend, which helps pay for the annual St. Patrick's Day march down Western Avenue. A 26-year-old Southwest Airlines flight attendant, Krahn will be prominently featured at the parade, which is set for Sunday, March 11. This year marks its 40th. She will also ride in downtown Chicago's St. Patrick's Day Parade.

"The South Side Irish Parade has always been a huge part of my life and I’m honored to be a part of this year’s celebration,” she said. “Growing up, my family started parade day with mass at Queen of Martyrs before heading up to Western Avenue to watch, rain or shine."

The South Side Irish Parade Committee each year sponsors the queen to compete as the "South Side Irish Rose" at the Chicago Rose of Tralee Selection. The mission of the Chicago Rose of Tralee is to provide enrichment opportunities that will encourage young women of Irish descent to be exemplary role models for tomorrow’s youth, and to make a positive difference in the world, according to a news release.

The Tralee receives an all-expense paid trip to Ireland to represent Chicago in a two-night televised event in Tralee, Ireland. This year's Chicago Tralee selection will be on April 7 at the Ridge Country Club, 10522 S. California Ave.

All South Side queen candidates were interviewed individually by a panel of independent judges including Shannon Zofkie, Alison Kelly, Mary Kate Love, Maeve McSweeney, and Margaret McGann; the event's 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013 queens, respectively. Teresa Daly, 2017's Chicago Rose of Tralee, was also in attendance. Krahn is an alumna of Queen of Martyrs School, Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School and St. Ambrose University.

“I know Colleen is very dedicated to the South Side Irish community and we are thrilled to have her serve as this year’s Parade Queen,” said Mary Kay Gavin-Marmo, executive director of the Professional Irish Women of Chicago organization and the South Side Irish Queen Contest.

Image courtesy of South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee