Celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States is worthy of not just one parade, but two.
The annual Evergreen Park Independence Day Parade was held Friday night along 95th Street as a large crowd of spectators turned out, decked out in a wide variety of red, white and blue.
That festive event was followed by the annual Oak Lawn Fourth of July Parade on Saturday morning along 95th Street. Both sides of the street from Lacrosse and south to 55th Court were filled with residents and visitors of all age groups.
During the Evergreen Park event, the focus was on veteran groups and local organizations. Nearly 70 floats and an assortment of performers took part in the parade.
The grand marshal of the parade was the 14U Evergreen Park Junior League World Series softball champions, followed by the local “Circle of Champions.” Among those champions was none other than Evergreen Park’s own Abbey Murphy, a member of the U.S. Women’s Gold Medal Olympic hockey team. Murphy, a graduate of Mother McAuley High School, waved to the crowd and showed off her Gold Medal.
Mayor Kelly Burke, Village Clerk Kelly Duffy and trustees waved to the crowd and passed out candy to youngsters. The Evergreen Park American Legion Post 854 was greeted with lengthy applause as they marched in the parade with signs indicating the 250th anniversary of the nation.
The parade concluded at Duffy Park and was followed by a display of fireworks at dusk.
The Oak Lawn Parade began at 10 a.m. the next day, at a new time. As usual, the parade began with members and volunteers with the Oak Lawn Raiders Social Athletic Club carrying a huge American flag.
Tom and Pat Hanley set up their lawn chairs near the curb at 95th and Cook to watch the parade. Tom said they have lived in Oak Lawn “forever” and enjoy watching the parade.
“I always like this parade, it feels homey,” Tom said. “It’s home for us.”
Pat said they have been coming to the parade for years with their kids and later the grandchildren.
“They don’t come anymore,” Pat noted. “But we said why not just keep coming. We have always really liked it.”
The Hanleys were aware of the significance of this year’s parade but said it has always been special. They both said they prefer the earlier start time of the parade.
Joe Nash and his family positioned themselves across the street. He was joined by his wife, Kellie, and children, Nora and Frank. The Oak Lawn residents said they usually come to the parade.
“We always come and it is a good time,” Joe said. “They have changed the time a couple of times, but we like it better in the morning.”
Kellie and Nora both wore American flag headbands to mark the 250th year of the nation.
Much like the Evergreen Park celebration, the Oak Lawn parade featured over 50 floats. Organizations and schools took part, along with the Johnson-Phelps VFW Post 5220, who were greeted enthusiastically as they carried American flags.
The Jesse White Tumblers performed their usual acrobatics in both the Evergreen Park and Oak Lawn parades. The Medina Shriners were seen at both parades as well. Oak Lawn Village Clerk Claire Henning walked along the parade route and several trustees also waved to the crowd.
The Oak Lawn parade concluded with a concert at the Village Green gazebo, which is adjacent to the library. Mayor Terry Vorderer, accompanied by his dog, Lilli, 5, introduced the performers, Rockology Chicago, who sang some classics and contemporary tunes.
A large crowd of families and residents of all ages gathered on blankets or lawn chairs at the Village Green to watch the concert. The onlookers also enjoyed food and refreshments provided by Paisan’s Pizzeria, Smylin’ Clyde’s Hot Dogs, and Sno-Cones.
Vorderer, a U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam, was delighted with the parade and the turnout.
“Let’s be appreciative of all that we have and enjoy the music,” said Vorderer, who laughed that he really couldn’t really remember the bicentennial but was enjoying this celebration.
He said all the credit should go to Trustee Paul Mallo (3rd), who works with the arts and events commission to organize concerts in the park and other activities throughout the year.
“It was a phenomenal job by our police, fire and public works,” Mallo said as the concert began. “I have to admit that I was worried about the starting time. I wasn’t sure how many people would come out. We have been changing the times the past couple of years to see what works best. But this was a good turnout.”
Both Mallo and Vorderer said they were not sure how many people attended the parade, although Mallo joked that he gave out over 3,500 pieces of candy along the parade route.
Vorderer pointed to the Hometown Heroes program that provides banners on light poles on 95th Street featuring local veterans. Evergreen Park also now has introduced a Hometown Heroes program.
The mayor said the idea for the Hometown Heroes came from Oak Lawn resident Mike Sutko, who served in the Marine Corps.
Both the Evergreen Park and Oak Lawn parades now hold the parades well in advance of the actual holiday. Oak Lawn officials said that they used to hold it on the Fourth of July but believe it is better to hold it before.
“With less competition (with other towns), there are more and better acts that can participate. Plus, many people are out of town on the actual holiday,” according to a statement provided by village officials.
