For more than 100 years, Lake Forest Day has been an annual ritual providing a sense of familiarity for the city. The tradition continued once again this year, albeit with a bit of a different look.
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Lake Forest Day, which is actually a two-day event, is a city rite dating back to 1908. Sponsored by the American Legion McKinlock Post 264, the August 5 and 6 festivities featured customary components of a carnival in West Park along with a Wednesday morning parade starting on Western Avenue.
Much of the pageantry, fun and games remained the same in 2025, but this year’s version had a different layout for the carnival due to the city’s renovation of the West Park tennis courts. Previously, a stage and beer tent were set up on the tennis courts, but officials didn’t want to do that this year as the tennis court upgrade was only recently completed.
Therefore, with less space, organizers offered several food trucks this year, instead of food tent. Another new twist was a music pavilion tent set up in the park’s southern corner.
Lake Forest Day Chairman Ed Geraghty acknowledged he was a little apprehensive ahead of the event due to the new configuration, only to discover a positive reception among the patrons.
“It’s a very different event this year,” he said. “But it is working better. Sometimes you get stuck in a rut. But it worked out really well and we are really pleased and so is the community.”
Geraghty happily reported record attendance on Tuesday night with approximately 3,000 people arriving in just a four-hour window.
“This is awesome,” Geraghty added. “Sometimes change is good.”
City officials indicated the carnival’s updated look could be a permanent change.
“The overwhelming feedback has been overwhelmingly positive about the changes, so my suspicion is that will probably continue next year,” City Manager Jason Wicha said.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday morning, people gathered up and down Western Avenue to watch the approximate hour-long parade featuring 80 participants with the customary lead-off from members of the McKinlock 264 Post. Then it was a familiar sight of including past and present elected officials, school groups, civic organizations, local businesses, drill teams, marching bands, and vintage cars. There were waves to the crowd, performances, and a lot of candy handed out to those standing on the sidewalks.
“The people and the kids love the parade, Lake Forest Day Parade Coordinator Mark Condic said. “They just do. We get to celebrate the veterans, but we also get to celebrate the youth groups.”
Joanna Rolek, executive director of the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce, says the Chamber is delighted this year’s parade highlights the patronage of Lake Forest businesses.
“We are so fortunate that our business community continues to thrive through the challenges of the past few years — our business district is so valuable and important to the fabric of our community,” Rolek said.
Judges in the reviewing stand near Market Square ranked the floats and performers with Lake Forest Country Day School, Lake Forest Open Lands, and the Elite Striders Drill Team and Drum Corps among the winners.
One person getting his initial look at the parade was Mike Sosulski, the new president of Lake Forest College. He was with his wife, Cori Crane.
“We are really excited to see the town celebrate and meet people in Lake Forest, not necessarily from the College,” Sosulski said. “It is great to get out and meet folks during one of the city’s most important celebrations.”
While there were newcomers, there were also people who stopped by every year. That included Ami Fischer, who came with her children and friends.
“We wouldn’t miss it, this is our favorite event of the year,” Fischer said moments after the parade’s conclusion. “It is a tradition, and now we head off to the carnival.”
Ed and Elaine Nekarda have been Lake Forest residents for 37 years.
“The Lake Forest Day Parade is a way for residents to renew their awareness of the businesses, service organizations, and other neighborhood resources, right here in Lake Forest. After 37 years, we are still finding something new,” Elaine Nekarda said.
Over at West Park, the carnival enticed many people with a collection of rides and lots of sweets to devour.
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On the sunny afternoon, resident Jared Torgenson stopped with his wife and children.
“This is family summer fun at its best,” he said. “My wife and I take off work for this, and it is 36 hours of family fun.”
Daniel I. Dorfman and Gina Grillo are freelancers for Pioneer Press.