Remember, Arlington Hts. parade doesn't take reservations

There's new news and old rules for the Arlington Heights Fourth of July parade.

The news is the parade will step off at 10 a.m. July 5. That's MONDAY.

The old rules are that village officials ask parade-goers to refrain from "reserving" space along the parade route until 7 p.m., July 4. Or, people can just show up on July 5.

The parade will start at Highland Avenue and Oakton Street, go east on Oakton to Dunton Avenue, south on Dunton to Miner Street and east on Miner Street to Recreation Park.

In the past, parade spectators saved seats along the public parkways of the route by using blankets and tarps secured by stakes or rocks; placing lawn chairs in an area; or by roping-off or taping off an area with stakes. These practices can damage parkway grass and cause problems for residents who wish to mow or water the parkways or place out refuse.

An additional concern is that some areas of the route do not include a grassy parkway and the placement of blankets, etc. can impede pedestrians using the sidewalks.