Led by the McKinley Park Civic Association (MPCA), the McKinley Park neighborhood is getting ready for its annual Memorial Day parade, set to step off at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 29, 2017, from the McKinley Park branch of the Chicago Public Library, 1915 W. 35th St., Chicago.
A variety of neighborhood institutions are already lined up to participate, and more are welcome, said MPCA Vice President Sue Pletsch. Already on board are the Thomas Kelly High School Marching Band, the William McKinley American Legion Post 231 and a number of other community groups. Any others interested should call MPCA Secretary Chris Bania at (312) 330-5482 by May 20 to sign up.
The parade route follows a rectangular path through the McKinley Park neighborhood, concluding at the American Legion post at 1954 W. 35th St.
As in this photo from the 2016 parade, a trolley will again be available to help transport seniors on the parade route.A trolley will be available to help transport seniors along the parade route, and refreshments will be served at the American Legion post following a brief ceremony after the parade.
Parade participants must line up at 9:30 a.m. at the library, with the parade set to begin promptly at 10 a.m. Marchers, bands and floats are welcome, however, bicycles, roller blades and skateboards are not allowed in the parade for safety reasons.
Pletsch remembers a long tradition of past neighborhood parades, including her leading Girl Scout groups stationed at Blessed Sacrament Parish for many years: "The girls always looked forward to participating in the annual parade," she said.
It's her hope that even more community groups, including churches and schools, will sign up to participate and help make this year's parade a show-stopper, she said.
The Thomas Kelly High School Marching Band will again perform as they did in the 2016 parade, above.
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