2008 Saint Patrick's Day Queen

Miss Eileen Kapolnek New Parade Queen

Congratulations to Miss Eileen Kapolnek as Queen of the 53rd Saint Patrick's Day Parade! Miss Kapolnek was selected from over 115 contestants on Sunday, February 17th at the Annual Queen Contest held in the Stephen M. Bailey Auditorium.

Judges of the queen contest include prominent Chicagoans of Irish heritage who consider qualities such as; grace, sincerity, beauty, poise, personality and wit when voting for contestants.

Queen Eileen Kapolnek

Mr. James T. Sullivan, General Chairman of the Parade Committee and Business Manager of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers' Local Union 130 U.A. informs us that Eileen will participate in the parade as Queen and will receive many gifts including a trip to Ireland for two.

Led by the Shannon Rovers Bagpipe Band, the Queen and her Court will visit Chicago's City Hall and personally deliver a parade invitation to the Honorable Richard M. Daley, Mayor of Chicago and then deliver invitations to other civic and political leaders to march at the front of the parade.

Queens Court Selected

Eileen will be accompanied during the parade by her entourage, "The Queen's Court". Miss Kapolnek and her Court are pictured below. From left to right the Queen's Court consists of; Miss Maureen Hawkins, Miss Julie Popp, Queen Eileen Kapolnek, Miss Patricia Garrity and Miss Kerry Anne Brennan. Congratulations to each of you!

Queen and her Court

The Queen is followed in the parade by her Court. The Queen and her Court will also represent the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee at various public functions later that day and throughout the year.

Passing the Crown

The 2007 Parade Queen, Miss Julie Ann Venci, is shown below relinquishing her crown to the new 2008 Parade Queen, Miss Eileen Kapolnek.

2007 Queen relinquishes her crown

A sincere thank you to the many hard working volunteers who continue to make this annual gala event a fantastic success!

Photos of the Queen and her court can be obtained by calling the Plumbing Council office at 312-263-6612.