Despite rain and wind, the volunteer spirit was strong on Saturday during the Wilmette Holiday Parade, an organizer said Monday.
“The weather could not have been worse for a parade,” said Julie Yusim, executive director of the Wilmette-Kenilworth Chamber of Commerce, which runs the event each year. “It was very soggy. I think this goes down as the worst weather for a parade in Wilmette history.
“But amazingly, there were a really good number of participants who showed up, and a stalwart number of residents who were there on the sidelines to cheer them on,” she said.
Yusim said parade participants who braved the elements included Wilmette resident Tom Ricketts and his siblings Laura Ricketts and Todd Ricketts. The three served as grand marshals for the parade, “and they were just terrific,” Yusim said.
She said the village of Wilmette opened Village Hall to allow Santa to greet children inside at the end of the parade, rather than try to hold court outside in the rain. Although the line to visit with him was shorter than in past years, those who did stay to talk to Saint Nicholas appreciated the dry surroundings, she said.
Yusim said volunteers from the Rotary Club of Wilmette Harbor helped organize the parade’s kick-off location at 4th Street and Linden Avenue.
George Pearce, a former village trustee who is president of the club, said Monday that between six and eight club members helped with the parade.
“I think a lot of people spent time in a hot shower afterward, but so far I don’t think there were any casualties,” he joked.
Parade judges awarded prizes to four participating groups, Yusim said. The best youth group entry prize went to the Music Institute of Chicago; the best business award went to Napolita Pizzeria and Wine Bar, and the prize for best community organization went to the Wilmette Park District, Yusim said.
The park district also won the award for best overall parade entry, she said.
Twitter: @pioneer_kathy
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