Approximately 30 parade units traveled the streets of Norridge, Norwood Park Township and Harwood Heights on Aug. 22 on a blue sky Saturday with breezy temperatures in the mid-70-degree range.
The occasion was a Saturday midday parade for the combined celebration by Harwood Heights and Norridge to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States. As the motoring parade units reached Montrose Avenue on Saturday, an honor guard stepped in to further lead the parade to the carnival grounds west of Ridgewood High School.
Community groups including youth baseball leagues and a local Polish school joined with Ridgewood High School students and the school’s marching band plus other organizations.
The parade was part of the four-day extended weekend festival hosted by the villages of Norridge and Harwood Heights to honor America’s 250th birthday with a community celebration from Aug. 20 to Sunday, Aug. 23.
The festival event portion was located at the property at Montrose Avenue and Ozanam Avenue in Norridge and featured carnival rides and games, staged music, food tents, bingo and fireworks.
Harwood Heights Mayor Jezierny said, “Happy 250, America.
“This is a milestone in our country, and both Harwood Heights and Norridge planned to celebrate,” the mayor added.
“Since we are two close villages doing the same event, I asked if we can join together to form one big celebration.
“All agreed, and here we are,” Jezierny said.
“It’s a great opportunity for residents to meet one another, make friends and simply enjoy the camaraderie.”
Jezierny added that “both mayors (Jezierny and Norridge Village President Dan Tannhauser), their village boards, along with their departments and volunteers worked on creating a unified fest.”
Jezierny and Tannhauser both wore sashes that said, “Parade Marshal.”
“It’s awesome,” Tannhauser said of the honor of serving as parade marshal. “It’s a fantastic day, one that will never be repeated.
“There isn’t going to be another 250th,” he said.
More Top Picks Best Wraparound Sunglasses For Migraines
“We’re excited,” Tannhauser added.
Rosemont Mayor and District 20 State Representative Brad Stephens appeared in the parade and drove a car.
About America’s 250th birthday, “It’s amazing,” Stephens said shortly before the parade began.
“This is my district for the state side of things and it’s a wonderful gathering, Norridge and Harwood Heights and hey, proud to be an American,” Stephens added with a smile.
Spectators were seen coming out of their homes for a peek at the parade units. Others sat in shady spots on Montrose Avenue where the parade units combined with waiting community groups to end the parade at the festival grounds.
Matt and Danielle Bishop of Norridge brought their daughters Elizabeth, 5, a kindergartner, and Persephone, 3. The siblings appeared to have received ample candy to put in their wagon on the Montrose Avenue parade route.
Danielle Bishop said she hoped her girls would learn, “just being proud of being from here, right?
“Like being from Norridge, being from America and being from a good community,” the girls’ mother added.
For Matt Bishop, about being an American, “I think it’s a uniquely amazing opportunity that we have to be just a part of this community, this country.”
Matt Bishop, of the Ridgewood High School Class of 2008, moved to the Norridge community in fourth grade and, “It was just different.
“Everybody here knows everybody; it’s just welcoming, it’s very warm and I feel it’s just something uniquely about this town, about this country that they’re proud of being from here,” Matt Bishop said.
“There’s a reason that they call it a bubble, you know, nobody leaves the bubble, but nobody wants to leave the bubble, it’s a great area, it’s a great community and it’s just years and years and years of just building upon that,” he added.
“It’s something that’s awesome.”
Karie Angell-Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.
More Top Picks Best Heated Eye Masks For Migraines