It's Time for the Parade

Nearly 100 Bolingbrook groups and organizations Bolingbrook have been preparing throughout the week to show off their creative side at the 45th Annual Pathways Parade, which is set for tomorrow.

And this year, they are all gunning for Ryan Lawrence.

That's because Lawrence helped lead the Heart Haven Outreach organizatoin to a best decorated vehile title in last year's Pathways Parade. This year, Lawrence and H2O are looking to repeat.

Lawrence, a youth outreach specialist at H2O, said he is excited about the opportunity.

"It's fun, we get to get together to work on the float and get creative," he said. "It's a great opportunity for students to get involved in the community."

The Pathways Parade is an annual event that represents the culmination of the summer months. It's a chance for parents and children to line the streets of Bolingbrook to watch schools and businesses march.

Awards include adult and youth marching, professional and business float, senior gym and dance, and H20's best decorated vehicle.

The parade is set to hit the streets of Bolingbrook Sunday at 2 p.m. This year's theme is "Stars and Stripes forever," which gives participants an opportunity to display their patriotism.

The parade will depart at Bolingbrook High School, go east on Lily Cache, north on Canterbury and finish off at the town center on Briarcliff Road.

The parade is put together by a commission of 16 Bolingbrook locals lead by Chairman Art McGuigan.  

McGuigan has been involved with the parade for the past 15 years and will be leading all the floats into position at the start of the parade.  

 An awards ceremony behind Village Hall that gives recognition to the participants in various categories will cap off the event. The awards ceremony will also feature a performance by a local dance group.

For more information on the parade, visit its website at www.bolingbrookparade.org.