South Side Irish Parade announces 2023 Grand Marshal

CHICAGO (CBS)-- Preparation is underway for South Side Irish Parade.

The St. Patrick's Day parade is just over a month away and Thursday morning, parade organizers gave CBS 2 the early scoop on who the Grand Marshals will be this year. 

This year's honor will go to Chaplain's of the Chicago Police and Fire Department.

Father Bill McFarlane works with firefighters and their families, while Father Daniel Brandt ministers to police officers and their families.

Organizers felt their service was a perfect match for the big event that has small roots.

The parade will kicks off on Sunday, March 12 down Western Avenue from 103rd to 115th streets.

"We are the largest, community-based parade outside of Ireland," Parade chair Marianne Rowan Leslie said. "It started way back in 1979 with 17 children running around the block. It's morphed into this large, beautiful, family, faith, community-based event."