Beverly Native Tapped 2024 South Side Irish Parade Queen

CHICAGO – A Beverly native has been tapped to serve as the 2024 South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade Queen. Mary Kate Barron was chosen out of 14 candidates at the pre-parade fundraiser Saturday at 115 Bourbon Street.

Barron, raised in the Beverly neighborhood, is the oldest child of Maura and Kevin Barron and has three younger brothers, Sean, Ronan and Emmett. She is an alumna of Chicago Public School, Ted Lenart Regional Gifted Center, Saint Ignatius College Prep and graduated from John Carroll University, University Heights, Ohio.

“I have had an opportunity to grow up in Beverly on Chicago’s Southwest side and also live in County Kerry, County Clare and County Mayo Ireland. My Irish heritage has shaped me to be the woman I am today and am honored to represent the South Side St. Patrick’s Day Parade as the 2024 Queen,” Barron said. “I look forward to the opportunity to give back and represent my family, the Irish community and the South Side of Chicago.”

Barron was one of 14 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 two past South Side Irish Parade Queen's, Margaret McGann (2013) and Colleen Krahn (2018); South Side Irish Parade Chair, Marianne Rowan Leslie and Colleen Loher Parade Committee Member as well as Katie Mackalinden, Y-Me Organization and Bride Maloney, St. Cajetan’s alumna.

“Mary Kate is very dedicated to the South Side Irish community and 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 Queen Contest. “We are thrilled to have her serve as this year’s Parade Queen,” added Gavin-Marmo.

Look for the South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade Queen who will be riding in the parade aboard a Mercedes-Benz of Orland Park convertible.

The 46th South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade steps off at 12 noon on Sunday, March 17 led by the Grand Marshal, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. The Parade Honoree is Smith Village.

The Parade will features 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.