2009 Saint Patrick's Day Queen

Miss Julie Popp New Parade Queen

Congratulations to Miss Julie Popp as Queen of the 54th Saint Patrick's Day Parade! Miss Popp was selected from over 130 contestants on Sunday, February 15th 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 Julie Popp

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 Julie will participate in the parade as Queen and will receive many gifts including a trip to Ireland for two.

Lead 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

Julie will be accompanied during the parade by her entourage, "The Queen's Court". Miss Popp and her Court are pictured below. From left to right the Queen's Court consists of; Miss Sara Collins, Miss Meghan Hayes, Queen Julie Popp, Miss Erin Therese Murphy and Miss Kerry Anne Brennan. Congratulations to each of you!

2009 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 2008 Parade Queen, Miss Eileen Kapolnek, is shown below relinquishing her crown to the new 2009 Parade Queen, Miss Julie Popp.

2008 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.