PARADE AWARD DESCRIPTIONS

Hon James H. J. Tate Award
Award given to the group that best exemplifies the Spirit of the Parade
 
Msgr. Thomas J. Rilley Award
Award given to the Outstanding Marching Unit of Fraternal Organizations
 
George Costello Award
Award given to the organization with an Outstanding Float
 
Vincent A. Carroll Award
Award given to an Outstanding Music Unit, excluding grade school
 
Anthony J. Ryan Award
Award given to an Outstanding Grade School Band
 
Walter Garvin Award
Award given to an Outstanding Children's Irish Dance Group
 
Marie C. Burns Award
Award given to an Outstanding Adult Dance Group
 
Joseph E. Montgomery Award
Award given to an outstanding AOH and/or LAOH Divisions
 
Joseph J. “Banjo” McCoy Award
Award given to an outstanding Fraternal Organization
 
James F. Cawley Parade Director’s Award
Award given to an Organization for an Outstanding Irish Performance or Display  

Father Kevin C. Trautner Award
Award given to an outstanding School or Religious Organization that displays their Irish Heritage while promoting Christian Values
 
Maureen McDade McGrory Award
Award given to an Outstanding Children's Irish Dance Group Exemplifying the Spirit of Irish Culture through Traditional Dance

James P. "Jim" Kilgallen Award
Award given to an Outstanding organization that best exemplifies the preservation of Irish-American unity through charitable endeavors to assist those less fortunate at home and abroad. 
 

James P. "Jim" Kilgallen Award

What a great Irishman, even born on St. Patrick’s Day!   Jim was born on March 17, 1931 and passed away on Feb. 27, 2010. He was married to Peggy and had 4 children. Jim was a proud St. Tommy More Graduate and coached football at Cardinal Dougherty and Semi Pro leagues.   Jim was the founder and President of the Irish of Havertown who were one of the first groups to build a large float in the Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  They are the most decorated group in the history of the Parade, winning the George Costello Award, the Organization with the Outstanding Float in the Parade a record 15 times!  Jim was a longtime and proud member of the Mayo Association of Philadelphia, of course, with both of his parents being from County Mayo.  He was a member of AOH 65 the Joseph E. Montgomery Division, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and also an active member of his church, St. Denis in Havertown PA.  But Jim saved his best work for the Philadelphia St Patrick’s Day Parade Board serving in just about every capacity along with President in 1999 – 2000 and Grand Marshal in 2004.   Jim started the Trip to Ireland ticket fundraiser, which was always the largest fundraiser for the parade. He was a proud bar owner, referred by close friend Jack McNamee (and fellow parade board member) as the “Saloon Tycoon”, running family owned Kilgallen’s Bar in North Philadelphia and eventually Havertown for over 50 years.  The Philadelphia St. Patrick’s day Board honors Jimmy’s memory by the James P. "Jim" Kilgallen Award which is given to an “Outstanding organization that best exemplifies the preservation of Irish-American unity through charitable endeavors to assist those less fortunate at home and abroad”.   Jim is sorely missed in the Philadelphia Irish Community for his hard work, dedication, strong will, sense of humor and laughter.

Michael Bradley

 

Mary Theresa Dougherty Award
Award given to an Outstanding organization dedicated to serving the needs of God's people in the community.

Paul J. Phillips Jr. Award
Award given to the Outstanding parade marshal.
 


CRITERIA FOR PARADE JUDGING
 

Appearance	Orderly marching, walking; Appropriate attire (uniform, Irish, etc.).
Music	Irish or Theme Related; Live Band.
Dance	Presentation - Costumes, Uniformity.
Form	Presentation at reviewing stand; orderly, time limit, line formation, professional.
Theme	Is the theme of the Parade displayed? How is this presented?
Scoring	5 points is the highest in each category ( 25 points total )

Each judge scores each group individually. Total scores of each judge for each category are discussed, and comments are shared regarding the criteria. Total highest points combined is the winner.
 
Floats are usually associated with an organization, but each float is judged independently of this group. Comments are especially important in this area as to the details such as painting, music, appearance, portrayal of theme.
 
Bands that are not signed up as independent marching units, are not eligible for awards, but are considered part of a group, when judging an entire group.