Crowds line streets for Buffalo Grove Days parade

Between the iconic miniature vehicles driven by Shriners International, enthusiastic waves from “American Idol” star Haley Reinhart and appearances by dozens of local organizations, Sunday’s Buffalo Grove Days parade offered something for just about everyone.

Spectators stood two or three deep along parts of Bernard Drive, Raupp Boulevard and St. Mary’s Parkway to take in the 70-minute show on a gorgeous summer afternoon.

Many were families whose roots in Buffalo Grove span decades.

Bonnie and Marc Fixler, who live within walking distance of the route, remember watching their son play tuba with the Buffalo Grove High School marching band nearly 30 years ago.

Though the pair didn’t recognize the current Bisons’ selection, a version of “Carry On” by Fun., they nonetheless enjoyed the spectacle of musicians, poms team and cheerleaders.

“Everything changes, but somehow it’s all still the same,” Marc Fixler said.

Among the parade-goers newer to Buffalo Grove was a very pregnant Nicole Oczkowicz, who brought along four generations of family members from Elk Grove Village, Roselle and Schaumburg to watch.

“She’s due any day now, so we’ve got the paramedics on standby,” Steve Hasselquist joked.

Oczkowicz’s 4-year-old daughter, Kaylee, was most looking forward to the fire trucks, police cars and anything with a siren.

“She’s my little tom boy,” Oczkowicz said.

The parade grand marshal was Jane Olson, who recently retired from her job as Buffalo Grove’s longtime deputy village clerk.

Buffalo Grove Days wraps up Monday with the carnival, arts and crafts fair, food tent, martial arts demonstrations and plenty of activities. For more information, visit bgdays.com.