- [Narrator] Funding for "A Labor of Love" provided by COUNTRY Financial helping Chicago land clients build a stronger, more secure future.

Aer Lingus, the national airline of Ireland.

Bringing the world home to Ireland since 1936.

Intercontinental Real Estate Corporation.

Proudly supporting Plumbers Local 130 and 65 years of the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade.

Guinness, here's to raising a pint and raising each other.

William Blair proud sponsor of Plumbers 130 in 65 years of the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade and BMO Global Asset Management and BMO Harris bank.

Proudly supporting the Plumbers and the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade.

- [Woman] C'mon let's - show a little enthusiasim For the plumbers, come on.

(soft music) - The pride that our membership takes in organizing and making this parade happen is our legacy.

What we do with our members, our plumbers, our apprentices, volunteering, all of their time and energies to make it such a successful worldwide event.

When you talk about the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade, you think of the Plumbers.

(crowd cheering) - It allows us to come together celebrating us as an immigrant country and allowing that pride to propel us.

- [Man] Happy St. Patrick's Day.

(crowd cheering) - What little girl doesn't dream - about being in a horse - and carriage in a parade.

- I don't think until you're - here and you witness it - And you feel this really - you don't appreciate Just how massive it is.

How big it is such a fantastic global event.

It's really impressive.

- I believe that St. - Patrick's Day really Is kind of a symbolic beginning of spring for the people of Chicago and things start to melt.

The sun comes up and stays out a little longer.

- You can participate - in any level you want.

You can go to corned beef and cabbage dinner.

You can you could go when they're doing the queen contest.

- There's all sorts of - opportunities to be part of it.

- There is no parade like Chicago.

This is the greatest.

It's one of the great cities in the United States.

It's fantastic.

- I've never seen anything - like it in my life.

- I'm absolutely - grateful to be here.

Very thankful and appreciative.

- I'm proud to be an - Irishman here representing.

- I'm representing - the Plumbers also.

I used to be a Plumber.

(crowd cheering) - Everybody in Ireland knows about the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade.

You know, even children know that in Chicago, the rivers dye green for St. Patrick's Day.

(soft music) - It's not just wearing green - on St. Patrick's Day, right?

It's something that's very close to our hearts and a way we understand ourselves.

Where we come from, the values we carry.

They've come a long way and we hold on to them still.

- It's a commitment on the - part of a lot of people At a number of levels.

- They all get in the - boat and they all roll - In the same direction - because the parade Is gonna be a wonderful thing.

Almost no matter what the weather's like.

It's, a Labor of Love.

(soft music) - What we try to do is bring back the Irish tradition.

Remembering that the immigrants from Ireland helped build Chicago.

- Whether you're a - plumber, a carpenter, An electrician or ironworker.

It's a great day for the city and we take great pride in organizing and sponsoring this parade.

- Irish immigrants - were coming to Chicago As early as the 1820s and 1830s.

- Especially to work on the - Illinois and Michigan canal.

- It was economic for all the Irish that came here looking for economic opportunity.

To find work and to be able to own a home and raise a family.

(flute music) They came into Canada, - in what they call - the coffin ships.

The coffin ships were ships that were used initially to carry lumber to England and then they needed cargo for the return trip, - which actually - served as ballast, Although it'd be taking back Irish immigrants.

(upbeat music) - Chicago was a city of immigrants and native born migrants - who were working in a - lot of heavy industries.

- What we would call - blue collar jobs today.

So sweaty, hard labor for very long hours and very very little pay.

So you could imagine very unsafe work conditions, very long hours, very few days off.

No eight hour workday, which was eventually pioneered in Chicago.

No weekends and as a result in the 1830s, you know, there was a labor stoppage led by Irish immigrant laborers hoping to unionize or at least work, lobby argue for better working conditions and higher pay and so forth.

(piano music) - As we celebrate our 125th anniversary, Plumbers Local 130 is 6200 members strong, being the largest straight line Plumbers Local in the country.

We produce skilled trades people.

Every plumber and apprentice has a plumber's license to do our craft.

- We take great pride - in that license.

We protect the health of the nation.

- Which way do you think I'd point it out?

- We've been in the West Loop at 1340 West Washington Boulevard since 1927.

There was a couple highlights in the last 100 plus years.

The first one comes to mind was the burning of the mortgage in 1944.

Stephen M. Bailey had a big parade.

He was quite the showman.

Stephen M. Bailey, he didn't do anything.

Half empty was always overflowing with optimism.

The burning of the mortgage, means we own this property.

We call it the Chicago Campus.

We basically own the whole block here.

Another great event, in our legacy, was when we celebrated the 100th anniversary in 1995 and the business manager at the time, Gerald M. Sullivan, made the decision to stay here in Chicago in the West Loop and he went to the membership and asked for a building fund.

So we did a major renovation of this great local union and the property around it.

- In Chicago, the traditions of unions are important.

The unions have helped make Chicago what it is.

A partnership between government and working men and women in organized labor has always been the strength of our government and our politics and St. Patrick's Day just allows us to showcase how strong that relationship has been.

- I would say that the Plumbers union and the city of Chicago go hand in hand because of the relationship that Steven M. Bailey had with Richard J. Daley - and it was business - manager Bailey who came up With the idea of dyeing the river green.

(piano music) - My dad loved the parade.

Any type parade, whether be the St. Patrick's parade, - any ethnic group, any - parade you could march it.

He participated and urged every ethnic group to join and celebrate their heritage.

(piano music) - There was a South Side parade and a West Side parade and Mayor Richard J. Daley was elected in 1955.

- He didn't like the fact - that there was two parades And he wanted to combine them and have one parade downtown.

He talked to the people from the west side parade, they agreed.

So the first down town parade was in 56.

The South Side didn't agree for two or three years and then they decided to combine.

(classical music) - My dad was a personal friend with Mr.

Bit Bailey who helped elect my dad, helped elect Kennedy.

So he was a strong friend, politically, socially and gave him a great advice and where the city should be moved.

- The plumbers were always active politically then, in between, and now.

Mayor Daley went to Steve Bailey.

Asked him to put it together.

He was a tough guy with a big heart but you'd never know it.

He had a cigar that he never lit.

- He was a good - man, he was fair man But he was a tough man.

- People realize that he was - the kind of guy you could sit And talk to but he wasn't the kind of guy you could argue with, give him a hard time.

Good man, he did a lot for this local.

- Steve Bailey had big ideas.

He was a circus guy.

We would have giveaways once a year on Thanksgiving.

He would bring in a donkey for the democratic senator.

He brought in a baby elephant for senator Everett Dirksen.

He was a man who really was good about putting the name of the Plumbers on the street.

The first parade was run by the CEO of Monarch Airlines at Midway Airport and then the second year was the mayor's idea.

The original mayor Richard J.

That it would be one year run by the unions and the next year run by CEO from a Chicago Corporation.

Well, Steve Bailey was a boyhood friend of Richard J.

He loved it so much.

After being the general Chairman the second year, - he told the mayor he - was not giving it up.

He'd have to take it from him.

So that was the beginning of the Plumbers, taking on the parade.

(soft music) (door knock) - Where the hell have you been?

- We were checking - the plumbing stacks Testing for leaks, we're using dye.

- Watching one of the buildings they were checking the plumbing stacks in the building and they would pour an orange dye into the drains - to find out where - the leaks were.

To see where they were coming out of and this one building was all coming out into the Chicago River.

The orange dye was going into the water and all of a sudden, it got stirred up by a passing boat and it turned Kelly green.

- You know that's Kelly green.

We should dye the entire Chicago River Kelly green for St. Patrick's Day.

That way it'll flow all the way to Ireland.

I'm gonna call the mayor.

- That was the beginning of dyeing the Chicago River.

(soft music) - People said that can be done and they said we will do it and the formula was put together and they kept working on it and it was it was done.

- There's a lot of cities that have St. Patrick's Day Parades but very few that have dyeing into the river and not on the scale that we do it here in Chicago.

(piano music) (crowd chattering) - Everybody ready?

- All right, by the - right, quick match.

- The Rovers have led every - St. Patrick's Day Parade Since its inception and there is nothing more special - than when the Rovers start - the day that morning.

We go to Old St. Pat's church.

At the end of the mass, the Rovers get a chance to pipe in and what currently I'm also the drum major for the band and I start out by calling pipes and drums of the Shannon Rovers, St. Patrick's Day set by the right, quick, match.

(pipe music) - And you watch - everybody in church, - From the mayor to the - politicians to the friends - And families of the Plumbers - all turn up to watch the band Come up the center aisle and start the day.

(ship honks) - We started playing at the - dyeing in the river about, What 15 years ago?

- Yeah - And there was nobody there.

It wasn't an event.

It would just happen and so I think the first year - we played the - dyeing of the river, - There might have - been 20 people there - And then the next year might - have been like three or 400 And then after that, it was the both banks and the bridges were packed in there's gotta be at least I think 50,000 people.

- The Shannon Rovers was founded in 1926 by a group of Irishmen that had immigrated.

- The one thing they had in - common was they all lived along The base of the Shannon River.

- It was originally formed - in St Mel's basement - And ran a social club, they - would say Patrick's Day dances From 1926 till about 1931 and they were fife and drum band.

In 1931, we switched to the highland bagpipe or the war pipe as it's called.

- My father was one of the original members, along with six other men.

They left Ireland.

Most of them came under duress.

- He was a very persistent man.

- That's I'll tell - you and committed And his love of the Irish and community and music, second to none.

- One of the first - jobs they actually did, Was at the original Gaelic park in 1932.

- Through the warriors - the band kinda disbanded As many things did.

- After the war, they - got back together - And started a St. - Patrick's Day parade On the West Side of Chicago and went from St. Mel's and ended on Cicero Avenue, where you had two somewhat infamous Irish taverns.

- So it was a kind of - a way to bring people To the pub on St. Patrick's Day.

The mayor Richard J. Daley, decided - that the three St. - Patrick's Day that existed That should become one.

So he moved them downtown and the Shannon Rovers have led that parade and every parade since.

(bagpipe music) - I joined the band, - if you wanna say Officially in 72 but it was because my father was in the band - and my brothers were - in the band before me.

- So if you have a - rover in your family, - The odds are there's - gonna be another rover Coming down the line somewhere.

- When I joined the Rovers, I was 11 years old - and my father, who was a - policeman knew some people In the band and brought me to practice one day and I had a neck, they say, for the pipes.

This coming parade and is gonna be my 52nd and each and every one feels like the first.

There is just no way to describe the feeling - that you get when you're - standing out there And you're looking down an empty parade route - and then you start up - and everybody wants To start to cheer and for that 14 to 16 minutes - it takes us to get down the - street you're a rockstar.

- Probably the most infamous one was planned for President Kennedy and the change that happened because of that.

In the Rovers changing our kilts, right?

- People often ask what - is that, you know, What is your kilt?

- What is your tartan - and ours is actually The Kennedy tartan and it was honor of President Kennedy after he was assassinated.

(soft music) - We have played for - every sitting presidents Since Roosevelt and whether it's been here - in Chicago when they've - come here for visits, - Especially a number of times - over here at Plumbers Hall Or when President Obama his first term in office, - his first year in office, - he called Mayor Daley - And said I'd like the - Chicago St. Patrick's Day, What would you do?

And Mayor Daley said, "Bring the rovers to DC."

- The Rovers are - internationally known.

- They've played whether - it's Australia and Ireland, Other European countries.

- Locally, we played all - across the country.

- A number of functions - for the Plumbers.

We've played at the White House.

- We've played the - doubling parade.

- That's kind of - an amazing feature - As we approach our - 100th year to think That this organization has been doing this for almost 100 years now.

It's humbling in a lot of ways to knowledge part - of something that's - been around in Chicago.

It's such an icon for the city for such a long time.

- The Pipers are part of your life, in good and bad times.

- They pipe you out of church - when you get married.

They match you down the street for a parade and they pipe you out of church when you die.

They are an integral part if you're Irish, of the city of Chicago.

(band music) - [Narrator] Also - our Grand Marshal, Who is Terrence J. Hancock.

- This is the city, - this is Chicago.

This is the best place in the world to live.

- In Chicago, this might be the highest honor that a civilian could receive, to be asked to be the honorary chairman of the Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick's Day Parade.

- It doesn't get any better, - especially in the neighborhood That I came from.

- It was great.

You know, my dad had passed away, not too long before and I just thought how nice it would be if he knew this.

- When they asked me in 1994, to be the Grand Marshal, I was indeed honored.

The only regret I had was that my mother and father who were from county Mayo, Ireland weren't with us - because they would - have been so proud And so happy.

- It was great honor after all, - you know, hundreds of - thousands of people Out in the parade, you're the Grand Marshal.

It's kind of humbling.

- The parade committee for - years has always come up With a criteria finding Irish men and Irish women - who are worthy of - the Grand Marshal And they come from four distinct groups.

You have the religious group, you have the business group, you have sports figures and you also have union labor leaders.

When you look at the history of all the honorees.

We've had some fabulous people come to Chicago to celebrate with the city on St. Patrick's Day.

- When I got the - call, at the time, - I was the general - president of the Plumbers And Pipe fitters and Sprinkler Fitters union in the United States and I had just gotten done with annexing the Plumbers Union in Ireland.

- When the Shannon Rovers - start and the drums And then the pipes.

- You're just ready to - take that first step And it is thrilling.

It's just thrilling.

- It brought back - a lot of memories.

My parents are from Ireland and I thought about them and how they used to go to the parade when I was just a little kid and how they enjoyed going there - and I think really - what they would meant Or what it would have meant to them by mine being selected.

- It was a great honor and - it was an honor, you know, After my dad's passing.

To follow in his lead and leading the parade.

- I didn't think that I was in the running - and I wasn't - running for anything But when Jim called I was just blown away, - that they would ask me - to be the Grand Marshal.

- I'm just really, really - honored and very, very proud To represent all St. Patrick's represent this great day for the Irish.

- One day, I was sitting at my desk and the head of Local 130 James Sullivan called and asked me would I consider being the Grand Marshal - of the St. Patrick's Day - Parade and I was flabbergasted.

- It was a great, great honor and frankly, - I think the best day - was the day he asked me.

- It's a lineup of very distinguished, very accomplished people.

I consider myself very fortunate to be very lucky to be chosen to be the Grand Marshal.

A highlight of my life.

- Oh, when I was told I - was gonna be Grand Marshal.

I was like, first of all, I was like, me?

Are you sure you know - and folks were saying - yeah and so I was thrilled And it was a great experience.

- My grandfather was - an Irish immigrant.

He was a carpenter in Ireland.

He came to Chicago to work in the Chicago World's Fair.

He later met his wife here who was already here.

She had immigrated before them with her family.

They married, they lived in a stockyards on the South Side of the city.

- Had 10 children all born - on the kitchen table, Including my father and his twin brother.

So being the Grand Marshal in our family was a meaningful event.

- My father was first generation.

We grew up on the NorthWest Side in Edison Park.

Primarily police and firemen, very Irish, very Catholic.

16 years of Catholic education for me.

Notre Dame High School, St. Mary's University, St. Juliana grammar school.

So it was embedded in me, the Irish heritage.

So to think someday that I would be invited - and have the ability - to be the Grand Marshal At St. Patrick's Day Parade.

It has not even sunk in.

- Our family came from Ireland in 1863 like most Irish families.

My great grandfather had no money.

He came to Chicago, he became a laborer, he became a plumber and then he became a plumbing contractor and he did very well for himself.

- I was very very honored to be there and I was honored because I knew that I represented the children and adults of developmentally disabled and some physically challenged too and so traditionally, they haven't been treated very well by our society.

It's improving but we still have ways to go and I felt that the Plumbers Union was making a very public statement that they believed our children and adults not only have a right to life but one worth living and that's what we're all about at Misericordia and they believe in us enough to say and to want us to witness to the public that we're important.

- It was a beautiful day.

It was chilly but there was this sense of this mega event that was taking place and what washed over me - is I had the St. - Patrick's Day sash on And walking with the mayor and the band that was playing and the Shannon Rovers that were playing, is how proud my parents would have been and they would have been in utter disbelief that this happened to their son and it was really, it was a magical, surreal, once in a lifetime opportunity.

- I just think that as you, you know, as you step off and you're walking down the street - and you think how many times - you've walked down that street And being part of that parade - and now you're like - the Grand Marshall You know, it was a big deal, it was great.

- I had friends, including some previous Grand Marshal saying you know, you gotta get the wave down.

It's this, this and then you point to somebody in the crowd and wave and you know, sort of the politician wave.

So I remember practicing that and the first time - I actually did it, - I broke up laughing.

- I can't believe I'm - doing this you know.

- It was a beautiful day.

It had to be about 60 degrees and sunny.

It was nice and my friend.

I matched with Martin O. Malley, - who was a governor of Maryland, - where I lived at the time.

He flew in and I matched with Martin O. Malley - and all the big waves up - in the front of the parade And it was just a great time.

I mean, it's something that I'll remember for the rest of my life.

- And we've won - three Stanley Cups.

- Nothing compares with - being the Grand Marshal The St. Patrick's Day Parade to this day.

♪ Oh the summer time is coming ♪ ♪ And the trees are sweetly blooming ♪ ♪ And the wild mountain thyme ♪ ♪ Grows around the blooming heather ♪ ♪ Will ye go lassie, go ♪ ♪ And we'll all go together ♪ ♪ To pluck wild ♪ - I am Mary Traynor Malloy and I was in Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade queen in 1962.

- I'm Catherine O'Connell and I was the 1976 St. Patrick's Day queen.

The last one for Mayor Daley - Elise Lyons, 2000.

- Megan Connelly 2002.

- My name is Lauren Catinella.

- I'm the 2014 St. Patrick's - Day Parade queen.

- I'm Madeline K. Mitchell.

I'm the 2019 Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade queen.

- Hi, I'm Carrie Mcclowry and I'm the 2020 St. Patrick's Day Parade queen.

I'm so honored.

- I started crying, - I was so happy.

I've just also in shock.

♪ And we'll all go together ♪ (piano music) - Ladies welcome.

Welcome to Plumber's Hall.

My name's Jim Coyne.

My everyday job is I'm the business manager here Plumbers 130.

A kind of an iconic building.

We've been here since 1927.

The Plumbers have proudly sponsored the parade going on now.

This is our 65th year of us fashion the parade.

We've also dyed the river since 1962.

So it's a great day.

It's a great day for the Irish.

- It's a great day for - you young ladies.

Have fun.

Enjoy yourselves okay?

- So every January, - the parade committee - and the judges, We choose a parade queen and her court and that day, - they basically become - adopted by the Plumbers Because of all the events they do throughout the year.

Whether it's participating at the membership meetings, whether it's a charity golf outing.

Plumbers and the queen in the court, - just become like - another little family.

- I thought it was great that the queen brings recognition to the Plumbers and nobody knows - that the Plumbers - dyed the river.

- Well, maybe now they do but - I feel like nobody knew that.

That who does it?

- The Plumbers, what - do they put in there?

What is that about?

So I felt like it was my duty and my mission and I was proud to represent the Plumbers - and let people know that - they put this parade on.

This is a lot of work.

(crowd chattering) - I'm Diane Taghon - And I'm Lisa Taghon Oakes and together we co-chair the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade queen contest.

- My first Queen contest was Catherine O'Connell in 1976 - and so it's been an ongoing - thing all these years.

- She would bring me down as - a child and we would you know, Work on different things.

It's changed over the years what we've done, but always doing mail outs and you know, putting stickers on things - and things that - we did as a child - And then you - graduated to different Just doing different events and growing up with it and then getting more involved.

My girls are involved.

We actually have more than my girls involved.

We have my sister.

We have my nieces and my nephew are all participating the day of the contest.

- My husband.

- My husband (laughs).

It's a family affair, as well (laughs) - So I've been participating - in choosing the queen For probably nearly 20 years could be a little less than that.

I would tell you that we have watched women come into their own in society and in the business world through the queens contest.

- I personally was looking - for women that were involved - That were proud of - their Irish heritage.

I believe everybody that you know came out today - is in some way proud - of their heritage But looking for that, looking for proud pride in their family, their family roots, the union.

I look for people that I think would just be strong representatives as Irish community.

- I was fortunate enough to meet President Bush.

- It was the first time any - president has attended A parade in numerous years and it was nice to be a part of the memorial for September 11th and be a part of bringing the community together.

- As the St. - Patrick's Day queen, Of 2019 I was unbelievable.

- I mean, the opportunity after - opportunity experiences, Events, getting to hang out with all these beautiful girls that I'm now friends with.

(guitar music) - I feel like there's some like the cape adds an extra set of pageantry to the whole aspect - of being St. Patrick's - Day Parade queen.

I remember seeing, growing up and seeing at the parade and thinking "Oh my god, that's stunning" and then when I was crowned, they put it on - and I almost didn't - believe it at first And then there's those photos and I'm just in shock.

It's so silky and the sadness, it's just beautiful and that night I fell asleep in it in my bed.

(orchestral music) - My name is Kathy Duda Anderson and I sow the queen's cape every year for the St. Patrick's Day Parade.

My grandmother, Eleanor Plank Duda made the cape and I can't remember the exact date but I think it was from when the parade began and as far as I know, she did every year after that but she never talked about it.

Years later, I had gotten married and had a child and we were living in this house and I got a call from my uncle.

My grandmother had gotten ill, had been ill and he got a call from the cape committee and he calls me and said they're calling for her to make the cape this year but you know obviously she can't do it and can you help out?

I guess.

Somehow I knew where she got the fabric but there was no pattern.

So I just went out and got a pattern.

Made a very nice, what would I think of typically as a Halloween cape - hound gathered - hood and everything And delivered it to the parade committee who were very gracious about it.

We've only been doing the shorter cape for two years.

It's green and gold satin.

- It has the arm slits - so that the queen Can navigate and keep the thing on.

Those are rhinestone buttons and they're a bit different than the ones that gram used.

(piano music) It's very much an honor and the idea that I can carry this on from my grandmother was just nothing that I would have expected or since I knew nothing - about it in the first - place but then to be able - To keep it up for - all these years.

I mean, it's been since 1985, 86.

That's a few years (laughs) It's amazing and then the idea that I can now have Eleanor learn how to do it and help me and then carry it on is also very special.

- Just sort of assumed it would be passed down since it had come from gram and then mom had done it - that eventually I would - learn how to do it To keep it part of the family.

- I think it's a big - honor to be able To carry this on for 50 years.

This has been part of the family and hope I can do a good job.

- I'll be proud to have Eleanor do that - and she'll know how to - make any other changes If changes need to be made and she'll be able to help me until I'm ready to give up the process - 'cause I'm not ready to - give it up yet (laughs).

(bagpipe music) - We cooked about 1800 pounds for tonight's party.

Now it's nice tender, mild corned beef.

- The last Thursday of every January is our only fundraiser held the Plumber's Hall.

- It's the famous - Harrington's corned beef And cabbage dinner.

We pack Plumber's Hall every year, 1200 people to sell out.

It's really our only fundraiser to raise funds - to put on the spectacular - parade in March.

- People thought that we got money from the cities.

Money we spend in the parade is the money we raised.

- The sponsors are Plumbers Local 130 and I wanted to put that on the map for the Plumbers.

- The brothers and sisters of 130.

Obviously, we could not do put on this type of event without their help, without their participation.

They embrace St. Patrick's Day.

- They make us all very - proud whether they're down On the river as parade marshals or actually on parade route on Columbus Drive.

- From the board of directors and the parade committee, the people who dedicate their time to this event, it's pretty amazing.

- Well, the role of the parade - committee is very simple.

You know, we devote our time and our talents to the city of Chicago and the Irish community by producing a first class parade year after year.

- Well, I'm proud of the fact that we are.

I doubted it would have stayed or lasted as long as it did - had we not been the - ones running it.

(guitar music) (piano music) - One of the things that I look forward to it's not actually part of the parade but they have it every year.

Right before the parade is the mass at St. Pat's.

I mean church is a Cultic shrine and on that particular day, it's just incredible.

- St. Patrick's church is the oldest public building in the city of Chicago and it dates back to 1856.

The parish itself started in 1846.

It started on Easter day of that year and immigrant people from Ireland, - many of whom were - famine Irish came And established this community.

- From what I'm told, a lot of times you see, mostly children or young people like those, they came over by themselves and didn't have any adult supervision or anybody to help them and if they didn't know somebody, they were told to go to St. Pat's church and see if they recognize anybody or talk to people and find out if they came from the same town or find someone that came from the same town that they did and they could help about.

- This church survived the Chicago Fire, which is another testimony of kind of the faith and during crisis and difficult challenges and that kind of thing and it's always been a beacon.

Not only for the Irish but I think, for the whole city - but once it was still - standing after this fire.

- Then after 1871 because it survived the fire.

It was really considered part of the Old City of Chicago.

So thus it took on its new name, being called Old St. Patrick's Church.

(soft music) - Part of the history of the church is the fact that a man by the name of Thomas O'Shaughnessy - created all of the - stained glass windows That you see in the church.

- One of the things I love about Old St. Pat's.

The niches around the church, are filled with saints but one is empty and as I understand it.

That's for us to take our place there.

To join that communion of saints, by acts of justice and love and generosity and charity.

(upbeat music) - As far as I've ever known.

The St. Patrick's Day celebration always began with mass here at Old St. Pat's and it's just great that place is packed.

It's a wonderful celebration.

Music is great.

People really participate and you know, for me, it's really, - I think the Irish - would say this.

It's really a celebration of faith, family, friendship, and our cultural heritage.

- I love the fact that we are gathering people who are in the civic community, people who are civic leaders, as well as people of faith - and people of goodwill and - I guess what I love about it Is the fact that, you know, - there's no right or - left in the church.

There's no politics going on in the church.

It is at least for one hour, one sacred hour, that we are able to come into the sanctuary and be one.

- That we are to be - one with each other.

We are to be one with our God and we are able to be one whether we are Irish or not.

(upbeat music) (crowd cheering) - And then here's the lineup - for our dignitaries okay?

So Jim Coyne and Michelle and then Governor Pritzker and then Senator Durbin, Terry Hancock, John Chandler.

(upbeat music) - The dye is a magic recipe - that we cannot - share or talk about.

There's a plumber on every boat - with the Rowan and - the Butler families.

So today as one, standing together and want our voices to be heard and stand and be proud - [Janet Davis] Watch - out everybody and welcome To Columbus drive here in Grand Park on a day that everybody claims to be Irish - What started out as a - religious and cultural holiday Has become a big city party.

(drums beating) (crowd mumbling) (bagpipe music) - Go!

- You can see so many - dignitaries following The Shannon Rovers.

- See if we can pick out a few - there Shannon manual there.

- [Judy HSU] Cannot - have a Chicago parade Without all of the politicians and elected leaders here.

We should also have the Plumbers Local 130 business manager - and parade general Chairman - James Coyne down there.

- Governor J.B Pritzker should - be with us here today.

Also our grand marshal is Terrence J. Hancock.

- [Peter O'Brien] And the guest of honor St. Ignatius.

(crowd cheering) - [Judy HSU] Peter was - mentioning just a little earlier About how big the celebrations here in Chicago.

In fact, there was a study - that was just - released last week, Naming Chicago as the top city.

- The number one city - in the country... - [Janet Davis] I saw - that, in the country for... - For St. Patrick's Day celebration.

- It beats out all the - other major cities And apparently the other cities have also tried - to kinda dye their - river or their water... - [Peter O'Brien] No other - city has the plumbers union Like we do and Jim Coyne and his group in terms of... - [Peter O'Brien] It's - just a magical day.

You know, my favorite part about St. Patrick's Day Parade here in Chicago is how excited the city becomes.

- You know, we're just - getting out of winter.

It's a beautiful day.

- There's so much - energy in this city - And it's just a true - testament of how fabulous And wonderful our great city is here in Chicago.

- [Narrator 2] Hey city, Which is the greatest city in the world?

- Chicago!

- There you go, That's how you do it.

- The parade is our pride and joy.

I believe that the legacy of my forefathers and the leadership of Stephen M. Bailey has set the bar very high for anybody who is honored to be the business manager of this great local union.

So Plumbers Local 130 and the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade are always in the same sentence.

- Just so grateful with the incredible organization, the incredible dedication of Local 130 and the Plumbers.

It's obvious that they love this.

They own it but they make it really really special and they're fun to work with.

- I would hope that the a such a stabilizing force as the Local 130 will stay involved.

I would see no reason why they wouldn't.

They are identified with the parade.

Parade is identified with them and it works very well for both of them.

- It's tough to say you're - the best when you kinda Only know your own as that well but I think you'd be hard pressed to find a better time - than you find here - on St. Patrick's Day.

- [Peter] It's just - a great family day, Especially in Chicago.

I think Chicago is probably the premier American celebration.

- Every year, we come in as a riding along.

The amount of people that line up and it's cold, some years that are lined up.

It used to be four people deep and then it was six people, seven people.

People are up in trees looking over.

Every single year we've come in, - I don't think I've ever - seen this many people.

It's another road deep, you know, like, - the Kindles people - even see, you know, And we're just like, - "I can't believe they're - here for this parade."

- It's a very striking image - and I think it really - speaks to the strength Of the Irish community here and the strength of history, Irish history in the city.

- Yeah, it's a phenomenal - thing to see.

- I think it's just stands for the joy and the excitement of this great city and I just think it helps us.

It helps to define really the goodness of the people of this city and the people from the North Side to the South Side, the West Side.

Wherever people are from this parade day, really helps people come together and I just think it means unity.

I think it means great fun, it means the joy, I think it means pride.

I think it really helps us define the pride that we have in the city and in the beauty of the city - and we should continue - to celebrate that.

(crowd cheering) - But it's a real way to - bring the community together And that's what we need that so much today, I think and so I think the legacy of the parade, then, and going forward is keep bringing the people together.

You know, it's right at the end of winter.

We're just here in Chicago winter is long and it's like, we just need a party and so it happens that - it's the St. - Patrick's Day Parade That kind of calls us to celebrate and why not?

You know, it's about life and living together and making community and I say I hope we do it for another 100 years, you know.

That's my prayer.

(crowd cheering) - Because of COVID-19 and the world health crisis, we obviously had to cancel the parade in March of 2020.

It doesn't mean that the parade is over.

We will match again.

- I made history.

I was the first Grand Marshal ever, not to lead a parade.

- But despite the pandemic - happening and no parade, - There's still so much - to be thankful for.

I was able to learn more about the great work, the Plumbers Union Local 130 does for the city of Chicago.

- The tradition will go on.

We will match again next year 2022 and I think everyone will be looking forward to getting back to what the tradition really is all about.

- So until then, let's keep - our city St. Patrick's Day Tradition alive through our shared unity and optimism as a city.

- Good days are ahead.

Days of life and hope are ahead of us and we just have to be patient and it will come.

- We are all looking - forward to a day - When we can all truly - celebrate at the next parade.

- It is my pleasure to congratulate Plumbers Local 130 at celebrating the 65th anniversary of the St. Patrick's Day Parade.

Thanks to dedication, creativity and innovation of Plumbers Local 130, our city St. Patrick's Day Parade has been voted best parade in the entire country.

- So through tradition, the legacy just grows on and on.

It's a certain sense of pride for our membership, to sponsor this parade and make it such a global event.

(upbeat flute music) - [Narrator] Funding for "A Labor of Love" provided by COUNTRY Financial.

Helping Chicago land clients build a stronger, more secure future.

Aer Lingus the national airline of Ireland.

Bringing the world home to Ireland since 1936.

Intercontinental Real Estate Corporation proudly supporting Plumbers Local 130 and 65 years of the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade.

Guinness, here's to raising a pint and raising each other.

William Blair proud sponsor of Plumbers 130 and 65 years of the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade and BMO Global Asset Management and BMO Harris bank, proudly supporting the Plumbers and the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade.