Residents Line 95th Street For Evergreen Park Independence Day Parade

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — Residents decked out in red, white and blue gear packed the curbs last Friday for the 53rd annual Evergreen Park Independence Day Parade.

A literal block-long convoy of Evergreen Park, Merrionette Park and Hometown fire engines led the parade with sirens blasting. Residents cheered on the sports teams, parishes, businesses and floats.

OSF Little Company of Mary Medical Center was the honored grand marshal.

Highlights included the Evergreen Park Community High School marching band, dance team, flag team and cheerleaders, the Jesse White Tumblers, Evergreen Park Stallions, American Legion Post 854, the Merry Marchers, Cub Scout Pack 3637, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Ph Kappa Omega Chapter, neighborhood groups and other sights for the senses. Kids also got an extra Halloween diving for treats.

Spectators enjoyed the antics of the Medinah Shriner model T’s, Flying Carpets, Shriners On Coolers and Shriners on Segways.

Mayor Kelly Burke impressed with her pitching arm hurling candy with ease to kids on the sidewalk so they wouldn’t have to run into the street.

The parade also marked the merger of St. Bernadette and Queen of Martyrs parishes, which went into effect Friday.

Fr. Benedykt Pazdan led the faithful from the newly merged St. Gianna on a Harley-Davidson.

The true queen of the parade, however, was “Mrs. D., 100 To Be,” who waved from the window of a pickup truck. We wish her the merriest of birthdays.

Last but not least, were the Jingle Johns — portable talking and singing port-o-potties.