Meet The Volunteers Who Carry The 25X50-Foot Flag In The Oak Lawn Independence Day Parade

OAK LAWN, IL—She’s a grand old flag, and the Oak Lawn Raiders SAC, their families and friends will be unfurling the 25-by50-foot American flag for the Independence Day Parade, Saturday, June 27.

The social and athletic club has been carrying the flag for 13 years. While the Village of Oak Lawn owns the giant flag, the Oak Lawn Raiders are the keepers of it.

“The village stores it; we take care of it,” said Ed Wolf, who has been a member for 10 years. “We've been carrying the flag for many years and love kicking off the parade every year.”

>>> Oak Lawn Independence Day Parade – Know Before You Go

The Oak Lawn Raiders formed in 1974 originally as a softball team. The men’s social athletic club has added community service, helping families facing difficulties and civic projects in Oak Lawn and other nearby towns. Many members have been together since high school.

“We wanted to do something for families of Oak Lawn,” Wolf said. “We shake the can for food pantries. We try to get involved. We supply the hot dogs and hamburgers for the Blue Ribbon Walk.”

There are 55 members of the Oak Lawn Raiders. It takes 70 volunteers to carry the flag down 95th Street. Four volunteers walk underneath the flag, holding up the middle with PVC pipe so that Old Glory does not drag on the ground.

“Between our members, our families and friends, the fire and police clubs, the VFW and members of the Oak Lawn wrestling team, we get enough volunteers to carry the flag so it doesn’t touch the ground,” Wolf said. “Many hands make light work.”

The flag is too big to fold into the traditional triangle, a nod to the cocked hats worn by early Continental U.S. soldiers during the Revolutionary War.

“We have tarps and make sure it never ever touches the earth,” Wolf said.

So far, it appears the weather will be cooperating Saturday, unlike past years when temperatures climbed to the high 90s. The flag ends up at BJ McMahon, where the parade disbands.

“It looks like it will be decent weather,” Wolf said. “In the last couple of years, by the time you start and are done, you’re drenched in sweat.”

The Oak Lawn Independence Day parade steps off at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 27. [NOTE THE NEW TIME]. The parade route begins at 95th Street and 49th Avenue, proceeding westbound to 95th Street and 55th Court.

95th Street will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to noon between 95th and Cicero Avenue and 95th & Central Avenue for parade operations.

Immediately following the parade, everyone is invited to continue the festivities with a free concert at the Village Green Gazebo at 95th Street and Cook Avenue, adjacent to the Oak Lawn Library. Rockology Chicago will let it rip from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Face painting, balloon twisting, and food vendors are also featured.