Lisle seeks new July 4 parade route

An effort is under way to find a new location for Lisle’s Fourth of July parade so the annual event doesn’t get canceled.

Eyes to the Skies organizers say the parade can’t use its usual route through Community Park this year because of a planned reconstruction of the Short Street bridge. So several community groups are attempting to move the parade to Main Street in downtown.

“The parade has been part of the thread of Lisle for years,” said Roger Leone, the Eyes to the Skies festival chairman. “People want to keep the July 4 tradition going. They want to have the fire trucks and the police cars out there and all that.”

Leone said members of the committee that plans Lisle’s Memorial Day parade are assisting along with officials from the police and fire departments.

“A lot of groups are involved,” Leone said, adding the festival has agreed to contribute $1,000 toward the parade’s cost.

The big question is whether the village board will approve overtime costs so police officers could be used to close streets and provide security. That vote could take place later this month, Leone said.

In the meantime, Leone says he’s optimistic there will be a parade. “It’s probably going to be a go,” he said. “I am 99 percent sure it’s going to happen.”

While no work has been done to line up parade entries, Leone said he doesn’t think it’s too late to organize the parade.

“I am sure the Lisle marching band will be available,” he said. “They also could contact antique car clubs. I don’t think getting the (parade entries) is the difficulty.”

Meanwhile, the nearly $1 million project to replace the Short Street bridge just west of Route 53 is expected to continue to mid-September. During Eyes to the Skies on July 1-3, visitors will need to use a pedestrian bridge to enter the festival from the east.