Terri O’Neill-Borders & Hope and Friendship to Lead 73rd Lemont Keepataw Day Parade as Grand Marshal

Lemont Keepataw Day has announced that Terri O’Neill-Borders and the Hope and Friendship Foundation she runs have been selected as the Grand Marshal of the 73rd Annual Keepataw Day Parade. This year’s theme, “Neighbors Helping Neighbors,” could not be more fitting for the organization’s 20th anniversary of service.

Founded by Terri in 2005 as a tribute to her father, the Hope and Friendship Foundation has devoted two decades to serving Lemont by providing emotional, financial, and practical support to those in need, from seniors and struggling families to children and individuals facing crisis. The foundation’s outreach spans year-round crisis assistance, Mission Stay Saturdays, Care Bag Day, UnBirthday Parties, Back-to-School Pool Parties, Make a Meal for a Friend, and Giving Back to Lemont, among others. The foundation’s heartfelt motto, “a friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart,” resonates deeply with this year’s celebratory message.

That mission continues this month with a special community service day on Saturday, Aug. 23. Volunteers are invited to gather at 8:30 a.m. in the Lemont Police Department parking lot. One team will head out to help local seniors with much-needed yard work (bring your gloves and favorite tools!), while another will stay behind to assemble care bags for seniors, homebound neighbors, and others who are struggling. Donations of baked goods (store-bought welcome) and uplifting notes are needed to fill the bags. This activity also counts as community service hours for students who track their volunteer time.

While many know Terri through her work with Hope and Friendship, she has also served as Lemont’s Police Chaplain since being sworn in June 2007. She describes this role as one of her greatest privileges. Responding alongside officers to homes experiencing the worst days of their lives, Terri offers emotional and spiritual support, allowing officers to return quickly to serving the community. This position has also placed her on the Lemont Clergy Ministerial Association since 2007, enabling her to partner with local pastors to extend care and faith into the community. In January 2024, she was honored to become the Chaplain of Pathlights’ Mediation Team, continuing the legacy of the late Pastor Bergmark. Terri’s faith remains the cornerstone of her service, lived out both in her chaplaincy and through the work of Hope and Friendship.

Parade organizers praised Terri’s impact, saying, “Terri has become such an integral part of Lemont and its people that we sometimes take her for granted. Her energy and compassion are endless.”

About the Keepataw Day Parade & Fun Fest

Lemont Keepataw Day began as a downtown festival in 1950, eventually evolving into a full parade. Lemont was initially named Keepataw, later renamed Athens and Palmyra, before adopting Lemont in 1850.

Organized by Lemont Keepataw Day, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the event is fueled entirely by volunteers and celebrates the town’s history, culture, and community spirit.

Parade & Fun Fest Details

Date: Sunday, August 31, 2025 (Labor Day Weekend)

Parade Kickoff: 1 p.m., beginning at Stephen & Main Streets, proceeding down Main Street, turning at Turnabout, continuing along Illinois Street, and finishing at Illinois & Lemont Street.

Following the parade, the downtown Fun Fest will feature these live bands:

• 2 to 4:30 pm: Anthem
• 5 to 7:30 pm: Wedding Banned
• 8 to 11 pm: Headliner Hillbilly Rockstarz

Extras to Explore:

• Kids’ Corner (2 to 6 pm): Entertainment includes Irish dancers, a children’s DJ, balloon twisting, face painting, inflatable attractions, magic, chalk art, and more.
• Artisan Market (2 to 7 pm): Showcasing local makers and handcrafted goods.
• Food Vendors (2 to 10:30 pm): A variety of delicious treats available throughout the afternoon.

A Rich Tradition of Community

The parade is more than a pageant. It is a tribute to generations of Lemont’s volunteers, service groups, cultural clubs, schools, and first responders marching side by side. From early Jaycees floats and horseback riders to today’s colorful bands and community leaders, Keepataw Day has always reflected Lemont’s civic pride and unity. To learn more about the day’s events, visit https://www.lemontkeepataw.com.