Villa Park parade grows bigger and better

Today's Independence Day Parade in Villa Park will be bigger and better than before thanks to a rise in the number of entries from 2009.

"I think this year, because there are so many towns that aren't having a parade because of the economy, we have entries from all over," said Dennis Geiseman, post commander at Villa Park's VFW, which is organizing the parade.

"I can't say we're getting more from any specific town, we're just getting more people who want to be in the parade," he said, adding that about 75 entries will be marching this year.

Stretching about one and a half miles, the parade will step off at 1 p.m. from the Jewel parking lot on the southeast corner of St. Charles Road and Ardmore Avenue. A different route this year will keep participants and fans clear of construction on Villa Avenue.

The parade will head south on Ardmore Avenue, turn west on Central Boulevard, north on Harvard Avenue and east on St. Charles Road to return to the parking lot.

Grand Marshal and Villa Park resident Anita Padilla, a reporter for Fox News Chicago, will lead the parade. Other highlights include clowns, floats from local businesses, marching bands and the fire department.

"People that still live in this town remember the parade from when they were kids. Some folks are now bringing their kids to the parade," said Alesia Bailey, executive director for the Villa Park Chamber of Commerce.

"Everybody in this town knows everybody," she added. "It's so much fun to watch people go past and you wave at them and they're all smiling and just having such a good time. I think its just the whole camaraderie feel of the parade."

During the parade VFW members will pass out cards about an event the post is having on Sept. 25 welcoming home veterans from all wars and eras. Geiseman said they expect between 3,000 and 10,000 veterans to show up to be thanked for their service and learn about their benefits.

"In the last year and a half there have been over 40 changes to their benefits," Geiseman said. "We're passing out cards to make sure that people who are lined up to watch the parade (know that), if they have a loved one or they have someone who was in the military, they need to be there."

Bailey applauds the group's efforts and hopes parade attendees appreciate everything the VFW does.

"We should just all, as a community, be thankful that the VFW steps up to coordinate this," she said. "It's certainly not an easy task and it's done with a small group. I think we owe a big thank you to the VFW for putting this on every year."

Organizers estimate thousands of people come to the parade each year and hope attendance is one aspect that will stay the same.

"Besides it being fun, it's Independence Day," Geiseman said. "It's an important day and people should celebrate it and be part of what it stands for. If you're proud of your country and your flag, you should be here."

<p class="News"><b>If you go</b></p>

<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>What:</b> Villa Park Independence Day Parade</p>

<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>When:</b> 1 p.m. today</p>

<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>Where:</b> From the Jewel parking lot at St. Charles Road and Ardmore Avenue, south to Central Boulevard, west to Harvard Avenue, north to St. Charles Road and east to the lot</p>

<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>Cost:</b> Free</p>

<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>Info:</b> (630) 834-8191 or <a href="http://villaparkchamber.org" target="new">villaparkchamber.org</a></p>