This year’s River Forest Memorial Day parade carries special significance. Besides honoring village residents who have served in the military, past and present, the village celebrates the parade’s 100th anniversary. And for this centennial anniversary, the parade brings a few changes. 

This year, there will be a slight change to the parade route on May 26. The route has been shortened by a block. It will start at the corner of Iowa Street and Ashland Avenue and move south on Ashland, then turn right on Lake Street, ending at Keystone Park. 

But the most significant change is at the end of the parade route. Parade organizers have partnered with the Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce to create the River Forest Business Bash. The Business Bash will be a street fair in Keystone Park meant to highlight local businesses. 

The traditional community picnic will also continue post parade in the park.

Karen Stille, superintendent of recreation at the River Forest park district, has served as parade director for over 15 years. She said the chamber approached the parade organizers and asked if they could be part of the festivities. So organizers and the chamber came up with the Business Bash to give local businesses exposure. 

However, Stille wants to emphasize that the focus is on the veterans. “That purpose is what motivates me,” she said. “We want to make sure that all who are involved are mindful of the parade’s meaning.” 

Another aspect of the parade Stille says she enjoys is the selection of the Grand Marshal. This year’s GM is Frank Bertolli, a veteran himself, and owner of Bertolli’s Pizza in River Forest. 

The village will issue a brochure prior to the event that highlights 10 residents currently serving in the military, as well as over 200 former honorees. The brochure will be available on the village website on May 16. 

Also having a significant role in parade planning is Michael Sletten, the park district’s executive director. This is Sletten’s 18th year helping organize the event, and he is well-versed in the parade’s history. Originally, the River Forest Service Club took the lead in organizing the parade. But as the club’s membership dwindled, the park district took on more responsibility for organizing. The park district took over the main responsibilities about 15 years ago, Sletten said. The service club dissolved about three years ago, he said. Since then, the Kiwanis Club has stepped in to help provide information about veterans who live in the village. 

Sletten says the parade is important to him because of the rich history of residents serving in the military, during both war and peacetime.

“I have been doing this for 18 years and it’s important to me, and many in the village, to honor our veterans and all those who have given service to the country. This parade is a terrific way to celebrate and recognize such service. 

Rick Gillis, treasurer for the Kiwanis Club of River Forest — Oak Park, said Kiwanis got involved right after the River Forest Service Club dissolved after the 2019 parade. Because of Covid, there were no parades in 2020 or 2021. But Kiwanis became involved in the 2022 parade, gathering information about service members as needed. Kiwanis has been involved ever since.

Gillis said that Robert Zeh, a former member of the River Forest Service Club, has been instrumental in helping the Kiwanis in its role in the parade. When the Service Club dissolved, Zeh joined the Kiwanis Club and has helped gain information about service members from the village who are active in the military. 

“It’s interesting to see all the new names that have popped up among the active service members.” Gillis said. We have a list of names from past wars and conflicts who were killed in the line of duty and we put up those names on the sides of the fire trucks in the parade to honor them.”

There is a personal element to Gillis’s involvement in the parade organization. His son, Christian, is a helicopter crew chief for the Marines. And Christian’s wife, Danielle Gillis, is an Army reservist.

The parade begins Monday, May 26 at 9:30 a.m. Parade lineup begins at 9 a.m. on Ashland Avenue, between Division and Iowa streets. Local Boy Scouts will have a massive flag display at the end of the route. 

For more information on the event, visit https://rfparks.com/memorial-day-celebration. More information on the River Forest Business Bash can be found at https://www.oprfchamber.org/events/details/river-forest-memorial-day-business-bash-vendor-registration-only-42990