1,500 Loaves of Dark Rye Bread Flew Over the Glenview 4th of July Parade

GLENVIEW — In most American towns, Fourth of July parades are measured by the volume of candy tossed to eager children lining the curbs.

But in Glenview, the currency of celebration is darker, denser, and infinitely more savory.It's all about the rye bread.

When grand marshal Jim Patterson, former village president, blew the whistle to kick off the annual Independence Day parade, the Hackney's team was locked and loaded.

In a scene more reminiscent of a gridiron huddle than a bakery brigade, one server shouted the signals — "Bread! Oklahoma! Hackney One! Hackney Two!" — and the bread began flying.Four "quarterbacks" in green masks and flowing green capes sprinted down Harlem Avenue, bread tucked securely in baskets, scanning for open lanes and teammates in the sea of spectators.

Beth, one of the masked servers, spotted a direct path to the crowd. With two fake-left maneuvers worthy of a Super Bowl MVP, she launched a loaf long into a cluster of waving arms.

Children leaped as one, but a tall girl in a GBS cap came down with the prize."It was really good bread, especially with the butter my mom makes," said 8-year-old Heather Richter of Mount Prospect, who snagged one of the coveted loaves. Richter's mother, a Glenbrook South graduate, watched from the sidelines with pride.

Five-year-old Tommy Mikey, seated in a tiny lawn chair at the curb, took a triumphant bite and declared, "I like this better than candy."Hackney's has marched in the Glenview parade since its very first, but the bread-tossing tradition began in 2010.

This year, the restaurant hurled 1,500 loaves of their famous dark rye along the route — each one requiring more than 48 hours to prepare.One manager joked that the bakery's secret nearly got out: "You could smell the bread baking for miles... we thought the secret play was going to get out," he said with a laugh.The operation was no small feat.

Team Hackney's fielded four adults and 20 teens, many of whom took their "running back" roles with dead seriousness. In the days leading up to the parade, the restaurant posted videos on Instagram of their team practicing tosses in the parking lot — green capes billowing, loaves spiraling through the air.

The crowd-pleasing tradition has not gone unrecognized. Hackney's won the "Best Business or Commercial Group" award in 2013, 2014, and again in 2024."We'll be back in the Glenview Fourth of July Parade, with Dark Rye Guy tossing our famous dark rye bread along the route — be sure to give us a wave!" the restaurant said in a social media post after the parade.

As the nation celebrates its 250th birthday, Hackney's reflected on the deeper meaning of the tradition."There's just something about the Fourth of July in Glenview.

Neighbors lining the streets, families making memories, and traditions that bring us all together year after year," the restaurant said. "We're especially grateful to be part of this incredible community and honored to be a small part of so many family traditions."Both Hackney's locations remained open throughout the holiday, serving their famous hamburgers — on dark rye, of course.For those who went home empty-handed this year, there's always next summer. "We can't wait to celebrate with everyone again this year," Hackney's said.

"If you see us, be ready to catch some rye in 2027."