{{Unreferenced, date=December 2009
The Irish Marching Society (IMS) was founded in 1979 by a group of individuals who wanted to come together to celebrate the
Irish
Irish may refer to:
Common meanings
* Someone or something of, from, or related to:
** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe
***Éire, Irish language name for the isle
** Northern Ireland, a constituent unit ...
Heritage in the city of
Rockford, Illinois
Rockford is a city in Winnebago County, Illinois, located in the far northern part of the state. Situated on the banks of the Rock River, Rockford is the county seat of Winnebago County (a small portion of the city is located in Ogle County). ...
. This organization plan and stage, with the help and support of the city of Rockford, the annual
St. Patrick
ST, St, or St. may refer to:
Arts and entertainment
* Stanza, in poetry
* Suicidal Tendencies, an American heavy metal/hardcore punk band
* Star Trek, a science-fiction media franchise
* Summa Theologica, a compendium of Catholic philosophy an ...
's Day Parade. They also hold an annual St. Patrick's Day Party. The group, known as IMS Unit 1, is located in that city.
The first party was originally planned for a small Rockford
Faust Hotel
The Faust Landmark, formerly known as the Faust Hotel (or Hotel Faust) and Tebala Towers, is located on East State Street, is one of the largest buildings in downtown Rockford, Illinois, United States. It currently serves persons 55 years and ...
meeting room, but as word spread of the celebration, the party was moved to the Grand Ballroom. By 1984, the party had outgrown the Faust Hotel, and it was held in the Forest Hills Lodge. The party then moved to the Armory on North Main Street where it continued to grow in popularity. The largest estimated attendance was in 1991 when over 7,500 members, both IMS members as well as some non-members and their children. With the closing of the Armory, the party was moved around the downtown area - the Ing Skating Palace in 2002 and the Lyran Singing Society in 2003. In 2009 the party was held at the Cliffbreakers Restaurant in North Rockford.
The first parade was held in 1980 in downtown Rockford and the tradition has continued along various routes over the years. The parade includes not only members and their families, but also bag pipe bands, high school bands, floats, various government officials, including in one year a
U.S. Vice President
The vice president of the United States (VPOTUS) is the second-highest officer in the executive branch of the U.S. federal government, after the president of the United States, and ranks first in the presidential line of succession. The vice pr ...
, various animals including an elephant & birds of prey, color guards, various beauty pageant winners and participants and, of course, clowns.
The IMS was founded to help preserve and celebrate the Irish heritage however membership is opened to person of all ethnic heritages. All event proceeds are contributed back to the community to various charities, with a total over $40,000 as of 2005.
All the parade and party organizing, as well as planning and executing is performed entirely by volunteers.
Culture of Rockford, Illinois