'I Am an American' Day Parade Set for September 6

The Oak Forest Veterans Commission will host the 4th annual I Am An American Day Parade on Sunday, September 6 at 11 a.m. on Central Avenue between 151st Street and 156th Street. The patriotic parade will lead to the Oak Forest Park District’s Old Times Picnic, a fun-filled event for all ages that has become an Oak Forest tradition.

Prior to its return in 2012, the I Am An American Day parade had not been held since the early 1980s, but no one really knows why. A movement to honor U.S. citizens and newly naturalized citizens began in 1939; I Am An American Day was established on Sept. 17 by President Harry S. Truman in 1952, according to information Assistant Community Development Director Dave Newquist found in the History of Oak Forest Book. The name of the day was eventually changed to Citizenship Day and the city of Chicago invited Oak Forest to join the parade in 1953. Oak Forest officials then decided to host their own parade.

“We are really excited about having kids decorate their bikes and ride them in the parade this year,” said Veterans Commission Chair Joe Pilch. “The commission is looking forward to judging the bikes and giving recognition for the most patriotic ones.”

Kids who are interested in riding their bikes in the parade are invited to the Oak Forest Farmers Market on Saturday, September 5 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. to decorate them. The Oak Forest Park District will supply the materials. After the parade, bike riders will be directed to the Veterans Commission tent at the picnic for judging and awards.

For more information or to be in the parade, please contact Chrissy Maher at 708-687-4050, ext. 1043, cmaher@oak-forest.org or visit www.oak-forest.org.