By Hank Beckman
June in La Grange means it’s time for the La Grange Pet Parade.
“March with Me in ’23,” is the theme of Saturday’s event, one of several pet parades in the Chicago area, and thought by many to be the oldest. The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. at Cossitt Avenue and La Grange Road.
“This parade has been the cornerstone event of so many family generations in the La Grange area,” Erin Smith, executive director of the parade, said. “This is truly a special family event that has for more than 75 years brought people, pets, and communities together for one day every year.”
Pet Parade Charities is dedicated to promoting and supporting the health and care of animals in the Chicago area; it seeks to promote an awareness of the special bonds that exist between children and animals.
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Participation is sponsored by various businesses throughout the village, and is the primary fundraising source for the event.
This year’s grand marshal will be former Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, so honored because of his mentoring of almost 20,000 youths through the Jesse White Tumblers, a program in its 64th year of providing opportunities for low-income youth all over the Chicago area.
Other local celebrities being honored will be John Gurney, a St. Francis Xavier and Nazareth Academy graduate who is also a Nashville recording artist, and United States Army Sgt. Robert Hall. The pet parade donated funds to sponsor Hall’s service dog, Eleven.
All manner of different pets will be marching, including dogs, cats, ferrets, horses, ponies—even goldfish. Marching bands will compete for prizes, with awards being handed out at the end of the route at the Lyons Township High School north campus parking lot.
The parade begins Saturday, June 3 at 9:30 a.m., and if previous years are any indication, will draw as many 40,000 people.
The parade began in 1947 as a project of the La Grange Chamber of Commerce, whose president, Ed Breen, owner of Breen’s cleaners, had the idea to create an event that would feature the Village’s children and family pets.
The parade grew over the years to include entrees from local businesses, schools, and nonprofits. It was televised by WGN-TV throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Since the 1990s, the parade has been televised over local cable access on LTTV the LTHS, the LTHS television station.
Over the years, many local celebrities have served as grand marshals of the parade, including media figures John Coleman and Lester Holt, legendary coaches Ray Meyer and Gene Pingatore, and athletic icons Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, and Gary Fencik.
Add to that list of celebrities Coach Ron Nickevich and the 1993 LTHS basketball team, White Sox pitcher Bobby Jenks, and actors Susan Dey and Lee Majors. The Budweiser Clydesdales have even been known to make an appearance.
The Pet Parade is organized each year entirely by volunteers—this year about 50—the only paid employee being Erin Smith, who is in her second year as executive director.
“I’m honored to help La Grange celebrate for a good cause,” Smith said. “We have some amazing local businesses sponsoring us, many nonprofits, and some great bands. New this year is the Pots and Pans Steel Drum Band. The U.S. Navy Great Lakes Band is joining us again this year. Get your blankets and chairs ready, people.”
For further information on the La Grange Pet Parade, including sponsorship opportunities and the route through downtown La Grange, visit the parade website at:
Hank Beckman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.