Lombard Lilac Parade ready to bloom Saturday
One of the suburbs' longest - and longest-running - parades will be even bigger this year.
Lombard's Lilac Parade on Sunday, May 16 - the grand finale of the two-week Lilac Time festival - will feature about 130 units, up from 110 last year.
Expect more Scout troops, schools and community organizations in addition to the marching bands, drill teams, horses, race cars, clowns, bagpipe players, Barefoot Hawaiians and Flying Carpets.
"We've really reached out to the community this year to try to get more schools and churches and community organizations and clubs involved, and I think that worked," said Gail Clark, the parade committee's chairwoman.
The parade steps off at 1:30 p.m. from Glenbard East High School, 1014 S. Main St., heading north on Main to Maple Avenue, then east to Craig Place. The route is about 11/2 miles long.
This year's theme is "Honor Your Heritage."
And by that, the parade committee means the community organization's, not Lombard's.
Fittingly, Glenbard East High School's 50th anniversary committee will have a float celebrating the school's half-century. The Glenbard East High School marching band will have a position of honor as the first band in the parade.
The grand marshal is Virginia Lippig, chosen for her long history of community involvement. She is a former president of the Lombard Chamber of Commerce and a previous Lombard Woman of the Year.
The 2010 Lilac Queen is Kelly Lahr.
Lahr, 17, is a senior at Willowbrook High School in Villa Park. She is member of the National Honor Society, an Illinois State Scholar, a drum major and played AAA ice hockey for 12 years.
Celebrities expected to be on hand include Dutchie Caray and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White.
The parade is so popular people start staking out their territory along the route with blankets and chairs as early as Friday, Clark said.
Along with all the traditional favorites, the parade committee tries to add something new each year. This year, it's a stilt-walker.
"You'll definitely see him coming down the parade route," Clark said.
<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p>
<p class="News"><b>What:</b> Lilac Parade</p>
<p class="News"><b>When:</b> 1:30 p.m. Sunday, May 16</p>
<p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Main Street from Wilson Avenue north to Maple Avenue, east to Craig Place, in Lombard</p>
<p class="News"><b>Details:</b> 130 entries, lasts more than 2 hours (although everyone walks faster if it rains); parking restrictions are listed at <a href="http://villageoflombard.org" target="new">villageoflombard.org</a></p>
<p class="News"><b>Info:</b> <a href="http://lombardlilacparade.com" target="new">lombardlilacparade.com</a></p>