Sunday Parade Celebrates GBN Class of 2020

NORTHBROOK, IL — Rain or shine, the parade must go on. Organizers of the Glenbrook North Class of 2020 Community Car Parade are getting the final preparations done for the event, scheduled from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday.

"The community is delighted to bring some joy and recognition to these kids," said Caroline Gau, who helped create the parade and is also a proud parent of a graduate. "They will be the only class who can say they had a car parade!"

As with other senior classes across the country, GBN's Class of 2020 has had to deal with some unique challenges to the conclusion of the school year due to COVID-19.

"The idea [for the parade] came about when a few moms were talking about events in May for the senior class that have been canceled," Gau said. "Senior year is supposed to be filled with special, fun events to celebrate graduation. We want to do something unique for the Class of 2020 to help make some once-in-a-lifetime memories."

PARADE ROUTE INFORMATION

• Parade line up is in the Athletic Parking Lot at GBN (near the pool entrance). Cars may begin lining up at 12:45pm. Organizers hope to start as close to 1 p.m. as possible.
• There will be multiple parade routes running simultaneously in order to drive by over 500 homes and celebrate our seniors with honks, cheers and applause.
• When students arrive at GBN, follow the volunteers’ instructions and enter the parade line to which you’ve been directed. Due to the number of cars participating in this event, organizers are unable to honor individual requests for specific routes. This is a community parade to honor all of our seniors, and organizers need everyone’s cooperation to celebrate them all.
• Parade routes will last between 60-90 minutes.
• Driving directions for those who would like them will be distributed at the parade line up.

SAFETY RULES PER THE VILLAGE OF NORTHBROOK AND POLICE DEPARTMENT

• There will be police presence during the parade line up.
• Stay in your vehicle at all times. Failure to do so may result in you being asked to leave the parade.
• Follow all traffic rules and signals, including speed limits, red lights, stop signs, and safe driving distance.
  
  ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
• Volunteers will be wearing masks. Please help keep them safe by wearing a mask should you need to roll your window down to talk to them for any reason.
• Seniors do not need to RSVP for us to drive by their homes. We are driving by all of the seniors homes. We encourage seniors to come out in their prom attire, collegiate apparel, or Spartan spirit wear when we drive by. We can’t wait to celebrate you!
• If you're driving in the parade, please RSVP by texting “SENIORS2020” to (847)686-3182.*You do not need to decorate your car to participate, but school spirit in any way, shape, or form is always appreciated.
• This is not a school sponsored event.

"The students are being given an invitation to watch the parade and families are encouraged to decorate their yards or cars to ride in the parade," Gau said. "The seniors we have heard from are excited about it as the word spreads throughout the community."