Community Pitches In For Memorable Fourth of July Parade

Thousands of residents turned out for Oak Lawn’s eighth annual Fourth of July parade on Thursday, marveling at the floats, bands, flags and mascots.

It was perfect weather for a parade after last year’s 106-degree climes. Those who weren’t watching from the sidelines marched down 95th Street with their churches, businesses, scout troops, sports teams and civic groups.

U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (IL-3) joined the Oak Lawn parade as well as local elected and village officials, including village trustees Tim Desmond (Dist. 1), Alex Olejniczak (Dist. 2), Bob Streit (Dist. 3), Terry Vorderer (Dist. 4) and Carol Quinlan (Dist. 5).

Sandra Bury rode in her first Independence Day parade as mayor of Oak Lawn in a vintage BMW convertible.

She thanked village employees and volunteers who made the parade run seamlessly. Although the final crowd estimates are not yet in, she said the 2013 edition could be the village's largest turnout yet.

“I’ve never seen the turnout we saw today,” Bury said. “It was wonderful to see so many old and new friends come out with their families. It was a beautiful day.”

Oak Lawn’s Fourth of July parade will be rebroadcast on Ch. 4, narrated by past Oak Lawn Chamber president Rita Olson and Johnson-Phelps VFW commander, Capt. Dan Johnson, back from his third tour of duty in the Middle East.

July 4 is also Johnson’s birthday.

The celebration continues on Sunday with Oak Lawn's Classic Car Show followed by a summer concert featuring the rock and roll oldies band the Meteors. Both events are free and take place on the Village Green at Cook and Dumke.