The River Forest Memorial Day Parade is one of the most eagerly awaited events of the year in these parts, partly because it’s a great old-fashioned celebration of Americana, but also because it is one of the most eagerly awaited times of the year: Summer (and the end of the school year).
But this year’s parade is particularly notable. It is River Forest’s 90th annual and it marks the 135th anniversary of the village founding. That would take us all the way back to 1880.
So a lot to celebrate.
This year’s grand marshal is World War II veteran PFC Robert L. Reynolds (1944-46) and musical highlights will be provided by the marching bands of OPRF and Proviso East and West high schools, as well as an Irish pipe band.
The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. from Constitution Park, Greenfield and Ashland (by Willard School), then proceeding south on Ashland Avenue to Lake Street and west to Keystone Park for hot dogs.
The event is sponsored by the River Forest Service Club, the River Forest Parks Foundation, the River Forest Park District and the village of River Forest.
Ken Trainor
