The North Chicago Community Days Parade on Saturday featured more than 30 entries.
The parade ended at City Hall, where the judging stand was located again this year. Judges chose North Chicago School District 187 as best marching unit, the Foss Park District as best float and AMO Athletics as best in show.
The parade is a tradition for many as part of the North Chicago Community Days. Festival music, food and more were offered in Vision Park on Friday and Saturday. The 2025 festival theme was “I’m So Go, 60064.” Saturday evening fireworks capped the celebration.
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“North Chicago Community Days has been going on 19 years,” North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham, Jr. said. “Next year is our 20th, and we’re going to do it bigger and better. It’s all about the families.”
Also walking the route at the top of the parade with Rockingham were U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Highland Park, and Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham.
“Being a sister city with North Chicago, and Waukegan having similar issues,” Cunningham said, “it’s great that everybody knows that we work together to provide a better, safer and a great living environment in our respective cities.”
Schneider said, “It’s a beautiful day for a parade. The weather’s perfect, and better than the weather is the community out celebrating North Chicago … celebrating the strength and unity of this city, this community.”
This year’s parade grand marshal was Daisy M. Brooks of North Chicago, a 2010 Presidential Citizens Medal recipient who received the award from then-President Barack Obama.
“It’s really flattering,” Brooks said of being grand marshal. “I guess it’s (because) I’ve done a lot of things.”
Brooks, 87, has been a North Chicago resident since 1968. Also known as “Dr. Brooks,” she is the founder/owner of Daisy’s Resource and Developmental Center. State funding supporting the social services program lapsed in 2014, leading to the center’s closure in 2016.
On Saturday, her daughter-in-law Pamela drove Dr. Brooks in the parade in an open convertible. Dr. Brooks wore a white ceremonial sash and a rhinestone tiara in the form of a royal queen’s pointed crown.
“I love bling and glitter,” she said with a laugh.
“I am really excited for her,” Pamela Brooks said. “She’s done so many things in the community, and she’s still helping out and doing things in the community. No matter who comes to her and asks her for help, she always finds … some type of way to help the person.”
Dr. Brooks said she is optimistic about North Chicago’s future.
“I think if we all stick together, the future of North Chicago can be very great,” she said. “I like it here.”