Wheaton's sesquicentennial party ends with July 4 celebration

After a spending an entire year celebrating its sesquicentennial, Wheaton is ending the party the same way it began: with the Fourth of July parade.

So the Wheaton Jaycees say they've organized a procession that will be bigger than last year.

"I hate to use the pun, but I've been telling everyone I'm going out with a bang," said Lori Ortolano, who is serving her last year as the parade and fireworks chairwoman.

The parade will have more than 130 entries, including the South Shore Drill Team, the Chicago Highlanders, Scout troops and a variety of floats. It will step off 10 a.m. Saturday at Main Street and Hawthorne Boulevard.

With parade marshal Bart Loiacono helping to lead the way, the procession will head south on Main toward downtown. It then will turn right on Wesley Street and left on Wheaton Avenue, passing in front of city hall and the post office. After turning left on Front Street, the parade will continue until it reaches Cross Street.

Ortolano said popular viewing locations are in front of the post office or near the reviewing stand at Front and Main streets.

Spectators can expect a few surprises this year. For example, the marching bands from Wheaton Warrenville South and Wheaton North high schools are scheduled to march together as one group.

"That's going to be interesting to see," Ortolano said.

The Wheaton parade always draws a number of politicians. And with a primary election set for February, there's going to be a healthy dose of parade politics on Saturday.

The long list of politicians expected to participate includes U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, DuPage County Board Chairman Robert Schillerstrom and Wheaton Mayor Michael Gresk.

Ortolano said nonpolitical entries will be placed between the groups of politicians.

"We want to create a very well-rounded and well-balanced parade," Ortolano said. "We work very hard not to have similar entries next to one another; to not have music from one group conflict with music from another group."

Because at the end of the day, she said, a good parade is all about keeping the crowd entertained.

And the Wheaton parade sure draws a big crowd - about 70,000 spectators, according to estimates.

Ortolano said her proudest moment every year comes when she drives the parade route on July 3 and sees the countless chairs and blankets that people put our early to stake a claim to spots.

"That makes me realize that these people are looking forward to something that I have organized," she said.

If you are looking for a bite to eat before the parade, the Center for History in Wheaton is hosting its annual Fourth of July breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. at its 606 N. Main St. location, at the corner of Main and Lincoln Avenue. Visitors can enjoy Dunkin' Donuts and coffee and then relax on the lawn and watch the parade.

Tickets are $3 each and can be purchased at the door. Money raised from the ticket sales will be used to help fund the center's mission to promote and preserve Wheaton history.

In the evening, the celebration moves to the DuPage County Fairgrounds along Manchester Road. Thousands of people are expected to pack the grandstand to watch a 30-minute fireworks display set to music.

Before the aerial display starts at dusk, there will be entertainment, including clowns and a 7:15 p.m. performance by the band Just 2. A vendor will be selling a variety of food and drinks.

"We do say to families," Ortolano said, "come out and enjoy the live music, eat a snow cone and relax a little while before the fireworks start."

For more information about the parade and fireworks, visit wheatonjaycees.org.