Chicago TV Anchors Will Be Grand Marshals of Skokie 4th of July Parade

SKOKIE, IL - A pair of Chicago television favorites will anchor the Skokie Fourth of July Parade this year.

WLS Channel 7 News Anchor Karen Jordan and her husband, NBC Channel 5 Reporter Christian Farr will serve as the Grand Marshals of the parade, which is planned to step off from Oakton Community College in Skokie on July 4.

The parade will also welcome the return of WGN Radio 720 News Anchor Roger Badesh as the announcer.

“The parade is bigger and better this year, “said Parade Chairman Alan Gerstner. “We are pretty excited about new additions to the parade for kids and several more marching bands.”

As always, the parade will feature local groups and organizations. Among them will be the Filipino American Community, Skokie Cub Scout Pack 85, Skokie Park District and the Skokie Indians Little League.

Musical groups such as the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band, Jutta & the Hi-Dukes and the Sinful Saint’s Dixieland Band will be among the parade entries.

The event will pay tribute to all veterans past and present, with COL Jill Morgenthaler, U.S. Army (Ret.), Sgt Eduardo Villarreal, USMC and Skokie resident LT. Bill Klopsch set to be the Military Grand Marshals.

The parade will step off from Oakton at noon and travel through downtown.

A 3D fireworks show will start at dusk at Niles West High School.