POV: Parading down Madison – Forest Park Review
Though it’s not St. Patrick’s Day yet, Forest Parkers were certainly in the spirit on Saturday during the village’s annual parade down Madison Street.
It was my second time walking in the parade. Last year, I had only been working for the Review one month before the parade came around. I thought it’d be a good way to throw myself into my beat.
My first Forest Park parade was much more overwhelming and exciting than I thought it would be. Boy, do kids love to get grabby for candy, and I ran out about halfway through the route. While I had to wave, empty handed, at dozens of disappointed faces, those who got a sweet treat made my heart smile with their green garb and big smiles.
Before this Saturday’s parade, I poured way more candy into our bags than last year. It was a move that served us well in the end – since I finished the route with some leftover grape Laffy Taffy, courtesy of Ferrara Candy Company – but it does still have my shoulders aching a bit.
This year, I found the parade to be much more manageable and overall enjoyable than last year’s. I’d say the biggest reason is because I actually knew the co-workers that I was walking with, and there were more of them helping this year to pass out candy and our newly printed stickers. What a difference it can make to feel like you’re a part of the community.
I initially thought I might have had remaining Laffy Taffys because there were fewer people at the parade in the 30-degree weather. Last year, I wore a long-sleeved shirt, instead of a big jacket and hat this time around. But it also seemed like there were more kids with open bags west of Des Plaines on Saturday, and I’m wondering if that’s because most marchers ran out of candy before that point last year. Or maybe because that’s a siren-free zone?
Regardless, I appreciated the handful of adults who complimented the Review and the importance of independent local news. It makes my career choice feel a little more worthwhile in this day and age.
Though we gave older parade-goers newspapers and cards to sign up for our newsletter, I think it’s cute when adults ask for the candy instead. If you were one of those people, sign up for our newsletter at https://www.forestparkreview.com/newsletter-subscription/.
Some of my favorite parade participants included the float for Illinois House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch, which had a DJ and inspired lots of dancing, the Medinah Shriners in their small motorcycles and cars, and of course the Proviso marching band. A special shout out to the Grand Appliance marchers, who were joined by an adorable baby who waved her arms to the beat of the music.
Walking with the Review, Dan Haley, a long-time staffer, pushed his granddaughter in a stroller. She slept most of the time, and I couldn’t stop thinking how disoriented I’d be if I woke up to the sound of fire trucks and bagpipes, especially if I’d never heard a bagpipe before in my life.
All in all, it seems to me and the rest of the Review staff that the parade was a smashing success, yet again. If I had one complaint, it would be that there weren’t as many dogs as last year. But I already can’t wait for March 2026. We’re talking about getting a bubble gun…
