No green light: Irish parade in Chicago halted

[March 26, 2009]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Chicago's South Side Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade doesn't have the green light anymore. Organizers have decided this year's parade was the last.

Founded in 1979, the parade was the idea of two South Side families who wanted a neighborhood celebration of Irish heritage. Now, the parade attracts more than 300,000 a year.

The parade committee says the sheer volume of people has created problems the neighborhood can no longer accommodate.

Officials say they will create alternative events that will return to the original idea of a neighborhood-friendly celebration.

Chicago Police Sgt. Mike Casey said Wednesday that the site of the parade became dangerously overcrowded during this year's parade. He said it made crowd control difficult even with a large police presence.

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Information from: Chicago Sun-Times, http://www.suntimes.com/index

[Associated Press]

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