Politicos, Neighbors Flock to Parks for Spring Kickoff Events

Members of the rookie Angels team and their parents watch the opening ceremonies for Omega Delta Baseball's start of the season on Saturday, April 21, 2018.

Omega Delta founder Daniel Gaichas and Illinois 2nd District State Representative Theresa Mah get ready for the start of ceremonies.

Pastor Darrell Daulton of Bethany Baptist Church introduces the invocation at the opening ceremony.

Omega Delta players, family and friends parade through the neighborhood on their way to Hoyne Park for opening day.

12th Ward Alderman George Cardenas throws out one of the first pitches before start of play.

Members of the rookie A's and parents await the start of ceremonies.

Illinois 1st District State Senator Antonio Muñoz addresses the crowd on the opening day.

The bucket brigade leads the parade to Hoyne Park.

Drum corps performers entertain the crowd before start of play.

Theresa Mah lobs the first softball pitch across the plate as part of Omega Delta's opening ceremonies.

Players and families gather in the Target parking lot prior to the start of the parade. All players wear Gio #8 on their jerseys in rememberance of Giovanni Montes, an Omega Delta player who passed away in early 2018 after an accident.

Alderman George Cardenas speaks to the crowd.

The parade takes a winding route through the neighborhood on the way to Hoyne Park.

State Senator Antonio Muñoz throws out one of the first pitches.

Members of the rookie White Sox and Cubs line up in preparation for opening ceremonies.

State Representative Theresa Mah speaks to the crowd during the Omega Delta Baseball opening Day.

Lined up players completely surrounded the infield during Omega Delta opening ceremonies.

Earth Day 2018 attendees, including gubernatorial candidate JB Pritzker and his running mate, Juliana Stratton, listen to 12th Ward Alderman George Cardenas talk about the park.

McKinley Park Advisory Council officers Katie Flores, Samantha Belcik and Heather Breems man the signup booth at the Earth Day event.

Kids lend a hand with plantings in McKinley Park's new natural area.

The work centered around the stump circle in McKinley Park's new natural area.

McKinley Park Advisory Council President Veronica O'Malley and Montessori Foundations of Chicago principal Beata Skorusa wave hello at the Earth Day event.

Illinois gubernatorial candidate JB Pritzker and 12th Ward Alderman George Cardenas lend a hand by shoveling mulch at the Earth Day event.

Families work with Chicago Park District personnel to get native plants in the ground at the event.

Two friends enjoy a complimentary healthy snack while taking a break from planting.

Members of the local DeMay and Efronsis families work hard at getting native plants in the ground.

Multiple generations of the local Belcik family enjoy the Earth Day event.

Illinois Gubernatorial candidate JB Pritzker hears from advisory council officer Katie Flores as fellow officer Heather Breems listens in.

Volunteers of all ages work hard to get native plants in the ground.

Those gathered for Earth Day in McKinley Park include Lieutenant Governor candidate Juliana Stratton, 12th Ward Alderman George Cardenas, Illinois gubernatorial candidate JB Pritzker and McKinley Park Advisory Council officers Heather Breems and Katie Flores.

Illinois gubernatorial candidate JB Pritzker and 12th Ward Alderman George Cardenas flank Earth Day volunteers.

All Earth Day volunteers receive a T-shirt to say thank you for their work.

Illinois gubernatorial candidate JB Pritzker gets instructions on native planting during McKinley Park's Earth Day volunteer event.

Lieutentant governor candidate Juliana Stratton and governor candidate JB Pritzker flank members of the local Diaz family at the Earth Day event.