American milestones celebrated at Lombard's annual Lilac Parade

On a day when the Cubs clashed with the White Sox and protesters clashed with police in Chicago, all was peaceful and harmonious in Lombard during Sunday's annual Lilac Parade.

The theme of this year's parade was "American Milestones," and floats paid tribute to iconic events from long ago and today.

One particularly topical float commemorated the invention of Facebook. There also were the usual assortment of marching bands and the appearance of 2012 Lilac Queen Jennie Mueller.

The spectators who lined Main Street couldn't have been happier about Sunday's hot, sunny weather. Last year's Lilac Parade took place in damp cold.

"It's a beautiful day out here," resident Shauna Meyers said. "My husband thinks it's actually a bit too hot, but I love it."

The parade opened with a cannon blast so loud that it activated some nearby car alarms, followed by the traditional procession of emergency vehicles. Spectators stood and cheered when a DuPage Marines group marched by, and the Glenbard East High School band got people moving.

"There's something retro about neighborhood parades that I really like," resident Betty Carlson said, as she sat on Main Street with her husband and two children, ages 6 and 8. "This one is nice because it's kind of like the start to summer, even though we're not officially there yet."

The Lilac Parade brings to and the annual Lilac Time celebration in Lombard, which got started in early May.