The Irish Queen of Chicago's Saint Patrick's Day Parade will bring her Court to join the Saint Patrick's Day celebration hosted by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas. The celebration begins at Noon, on Friday (March 16), in Room 112 of the County Building, 118 N. Clark St., Chicago.

Pappas, who holds celebratory observances in her office honoring Chicagoland's various ethnic communities, said refreshments and Irish entertainment will be provided for visitors.

"If you're Irish, you're invited. If you're not Irish, you're still invited," said Pappas, who declared herself "Greek the rest of the year, but Irish when it comes to Saint Patrick's Day."

Megan Murphy, the Irish Queen for the Saint Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday (March 17), will bring her court to join Pappas' celebration on Friday. Pappas will participate in Saturday's parade.

At Pappas' event, an invocation will be given by Father James Kehoe, of Nativity of Our Lord Parish. Entertainment will include the Shannon Rovers bagpipers and bagpiper Dan McGuire; the Foy Irish Dancers; and the Irish fiddler group the Shine Girls.