‘It’s a staple of the community’: Swedish Days parade draws a crowd after near cancellation

Any fears that the Geneva Swedish Days parade might be diminished after its brief cancellation earlier this year were allayed by the more than hourlong event in the city’s downtown Sunday.

More than 70 entries made their way along the traditional parade route down Anderson Boulevard to State Street to Third Street, much to the delight of crowd packed along all three streets.

“It’s a staple of the community and we’re very happy that they decided to bring it back,” said Dave Edison of Geneva.

Edison said he’s attended most every annual parade since moving to Geneva over 20 years ago. His son Charlie, who was donning a Viking hat as he sat by his dad, has been there each of his seven years.

The Geneva Chamber of Commerce had hosted the parade since 1950, but announced it was canceling the event in early April. A group of local businesses lead by State Street Jewelers announced they would organize the parade instead about a week later.

The procession featured well-known returnees like the Jesse White Tumblers and Chicago Highlanders Pipes & Drums, as well as myriad entries from local businesses, community and cultural organizations, and youth groups.