Fourth of July celebrations got a week-early start in Home Glen as hundreds of people turned out for Homer Township’s annual Independence Day parade Sunday, despite a one-day delay due to weather. The parade rolled seamlessly under bright sunny skies on Parker Road north from 151st Street.
The Romanini family of Homer Glen had originally planned to attend the parade Saturday, but were glad for the beautiful weather instead.
“This is our first time at this parade,” said Luke Romanini, who attended with his wife, Cara, and sons Logan and Mason. The boys were waving and grabbing candy along with dozens of other children. “It’s been great. Much better weather today.”
Nicole Stockmal, of Lockport, was with a large group of friends and family to watch her two daughters, Hayden and Harper, march in the parade. They are cheerleaders for the Homer Stallions youth football club.
“This is their first year doing the Stallions,” Stockmal said. “And they were so excited to march today. It’s not their first parade to march in, but the first one in Homer Glen.”
The Homer Stallions were one of more than two dozen parade participants which included the Homer Township fire department, dance and martial arts studios with performances, horse-led carriages and civic organizations.
Meagan Woldt and her husband, Sean, were in town from Fort. Riley, Kansas to visit family and took advantage of the great weather by attending the parade. Their toddler, Cole, was waving and smiling at a man dressed as Captain America before the costumed character stopped for a photo.
“Oh he’s having a great time,” Meagan said. “This is his first parade.”
“It’s great out here, just perfect,” Sean said. “He has been most excited about the Army trucks and the fire trucks.”
Ruby Miller, 2, of Orland Hills, was also a first-time parade goer. She was decked out in red, white and blue tutu with a matching patriotic bucket hat, collecting candy and dancing. She was fixated on the patriotic motorcycle riders who capped the end of the parade.
“Oh she loves this parade,” her father, Nick Miller said. “She’s also loving seeing all the kids and everyone dressed up.”
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The parade got an early start on Independence Day festivities in advances of the upcoming three-day weekend, which will include fireworks and festivals throughout the suburbs.
Hannah Kohut is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.