Lilac Parade in Lombard serves as 'kickoff to summertime'

In Ellyn Murphy's eyes, the annual Lombard Lilac Parade puts the town dubbed the "lilac village" on the map.

As they do every year, thousands of people lined Lombard's downtown streets Sunday to watch the 125 participating groups march along Main Street from Wilson Avenue to Maple Street. Children cheered at the firetrucks and colorful floats. Families brought coolers, set up tents, fired up their grills and filled tables with food and beverages.

Even local businesses participated in the festivities, some decorating their facades in purple and white balloons.

"I think it promotes us to the world at large," said Murphy, the parade committee chairwoman. "It really brings the community together to have a good time, and it's a good kickoff to summertime."

Each year, more than 16,000 spectators attend the parade, which marks the end of the Lilac Time festival, a series of events honoring the traditions and history of Lombard, Murphy said.

This year's parade theme was "Time Travel," which some participating groups took to heart by decorating their float or dressing up in costumes from a different time period, both past and future, said Murphy, who has helped plan the event since 1998.

For Dr. Jason Friedman, who owns Progressive Physical Medicine with his wife, the parade serves as a perfect opportunity for a "patient appreciation" celebration. Located along the parade route, the business hosts a cookout for patients and their families each year, complete with food, beverages and prime seating.

"We're very family-oriented," said Friedman, a former Lombard resident who now lives in St. Charles. "We just want to create a nice and safe environment for our patients."

Faith and Fred Eichhorst, who have lived in Lombard for three years, said watching the Lilac Parade has become a tradition for their family. The parade's firetrucks and drums have become favorites for their 2-year-old daughter, Eowyn, who sat on the bleachers next to her nearly 1-year-old brother, Allyn.

But Faith Eichhorst said the spirit of the parade is what matters most to the close-knit town.

"I love seeing the whole community come together," she said.