CHICAGO — The streets have been cleared, the routines have been perfected and the kegs have been tapped.
Sunday's South Side Irish Parade promises to be a less rowdy affair than in its more notorious years, but thousands of Chicagoans - whether they're of Irish descent or not - will descend upon Beverly for this year's festivities.
Here's what to know if you're going:
The parade starts at noon, going south on Western Avenue from 103rd Street to 115th Street. Parking will be restricted in the area until 3 p.m. For exact restrictions, see the parade's website.
Police will be cracking down on open alcohol, and will set up checkpoints throughout the neighborhood, staffed by Chicago police and private security. No alcohol is allowed on Metra Rock Island trains.
More than 90 floats and 10,000 marchers are expected to flood Western Avenue, said parade spokeswoman Ellyn Caruso. That's up from about 60 floats last year, she said. At least 50,000 spectators are expected, she said.
"It could be more, depending on the weather," Caruso said. And it'll likely be wet, but it could be as warm as 51 degrees.
Caruso said this year's grand marshal unit, which honors the city's first responsders, will consist of about 2,000 marchers, which includes families of the fallen. That's in addition to bands and antique police cars and fire equipment.
The parade will also honor area high schools that won state championships in 2012: the Brother Rice rugby team; the Marist High softball team; the Mount Carmel football team; the St. Leo track and field team, and the St. Rita hockey team.
And dozens of bands, floats and local dignitaries.
"There are all kinds of things for everyone, and everyone will of course be set out in festive greenery," she said.
