BAPA Party Pack Supports Local Businesses
By Brittany Wiley
BAPA Business Liaison
The Southside Irish Parade has been a neighborhood tradition since 1979. Apart from a brief hiatus, it’s been held every year to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day until 2020.
Our community will be without the Parade again this year, which is disappointing for the families who love to participate. But the greatest negative impact is on the businesses along the parade route.
“The parade is so much more than one day, it spurs business for the whole month of March. It marks the end of our hibernation locally,” said Mary Callaghan of Barney Callaghan’s Pub. “Neighbors begin to decorate their houses with bright pops of green, as a signal that winter is coming to an end. There is a buzz in the pub around the parade, people are excited to come out and have a pint or two. Our 19th Ward businesses start to get citywide attention due to the Southside Irish Parade. News crews make the long trek down to this seldom visited part of the city and are often very pleasantly surprised by what a great community we have down here. In 2022 we will march again!”
To support businesses and the Southside Irish Parade, BAPA coordinated a Southside Parade At Home Party Pack so neighbors can enjoy their favorite local food, drinks and merchandise and celebrate the parade COVID-style.
Party Packs include:
Love Where You Live cooler bag from BAPA; Irish Coffee martinis for 4 from
Barney Callaghan’s Pub; Irish soda bread from Beverly Bakery; St. Patrick’s Day themed cookies and Green River pop from County Fair Foods; Guinness from Cork & Kerry; 4 pack of Pat Mac’s Pack beer from Horse Thief Hollow; a crowler of Speculator from Open Outcry Brewing Co.; branded pub glasses and wine glasses from the Southside Irish Parade; a small arrangement from Steuber Florist; and a corned beef sandwich kit for 4 from Swanson’s.
Each party pack is designed for a family of four and will retail for $110, which all goes to the businesses. Packages are available for purchase through Sat., Mar. 6 at bapa.org. Pick-up Sat., Mar.13, 2 to 5 p.m., at Barney Callaghan’s Pub. Stay for a pint with our friends from the Southside Irish Parade and to enjoy live music and more. Winners in the Parade Committee’s Shamrock Your Block house decorating contest will be announced at 4 p.m.
