CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- One of Chicago's summer festival staples will be no more. Old St. Pat's Church said it will no longer host the World's Largest Block Party.
Old St. Pat's pastor, Fr. Tom Hurley said the World's Largest Block Party was one of Chicago's signature summer events at a time when there weren't as many festivals.
"Now, 35 years later, we are one among many and the competition has become a little bit beyond us," he said.
The Block Party even gained a reputation as a meeting spot if you were looking for a husband or wife.
"We know of at least 150 couples that met there and got married," Fr. Hurley said.
With Fr. Hurley being named the Grand Marshal of this year's St. Patrick's Day Parade and the church entering into its 175th year as a parish, it'll kick off a new festival around St. Patrick's Day.
"We're calling this Shamrockin' The Block and we're going to do that on March 14," Fr. Hurley said.
