By Tim Hadac
Managing Editor
Southwest Chicago Post
Managing Editor
Southwest Chicago Post
The Midway Chamber of Commerce's annual Pumpkin Jamboree Parade features a family-focused twist in 2024.
For the first time ever, Midway-area families are specifically invited to form their own units and march in the parade.
"This annual event has always been fun for families, but in years past that sometimes was limited to families at the curbs, as spectators," MCC President Mary Ellen Brown told the Southwest Chicago Post. "We want to give local families the option of actually being in the parade, as a group."
For registration details, visit https://business.midwaychamber.org/ap/Events/Register/b3FQVzMhNCRCw.
The parade is set for Saturday, Oct. 26.
Parade unit staging will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Nordica, south of Archer.
The parade will step off at 10:00 a.m. from Archer and Nordica, heading east on Archer to 55th Street, then east to Merrimac, then south to Kennedy High School, where it will disband in Wentworth Park.
Families in the parade are welcome to participate on foot, as well as in their own vehicles, such as a car, golf cart or bicycle. Families are invited to decorate their vehicles and to dress in Halloween costumes.
The parade's grand marshal is Garfield Ridge resident Kennedy Blades. The 21-year-old athlete earned international acclaim when she won a silver medal in wrestling at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
A Southwest Chicago Post story about Kennedy Blades can be found at this link: http://www.swchicagopost.com/2024/09/olympic-champion-to-star-at-midway.html
As the parade disbands in Wentworth Park, MCC officials plan to host a brief ceremony honoring Blades, and there may be a meet-and-greet opportunity for local girls and boys to take photos with the wrestling star.
Also at that place and time, parade prizes will be awarded. Additionally, Midway area residents are invited to bring pumpkins they have carved and decorated at home, to compete for prizes. Pumpkins must be labeled with the owner's name and contact information.
Finally, Wentworth Park plans to conduct a brief Halloween-themed craft activity for children ages 3 to 12, according to park Supervisor Tricia Orszula.
While the parade has been a family favorite for decades, the Midway Chamber of Commerce took ownership of it in 2020, after it was orphaned by the departure of U.S. Rep. Daniel Lipinski from Congress.
“Midway Chamber of Commerce members care quite a bit about the neighborhoods we serve, and this parade--like all our events--is evidence of that,” Brown said. “The thousands of boys and girls, moms and dads, grandmas and grandpas who enjoy this parade every year…those are our customers, our clients or our patients, as the case may be. We care about them.”
In conjunction with the parade, the MCC's Dia De Los Muertos event is set for 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. in Wentworth Park. Details about that event will appear in the Southwest Chicago Post in the days ahead.
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