Hundreds of community members lined the streets of Ridge Road and Dixie Highway in Homewood to watch the Independence Day parade organized by the village of Homewood on the late morning of Friday, July 4.
The parade lasted for about 45 minutes. It kicked off at St. John Neumann Catholic Church at 17951 Dixie Highway and turned onto Ridge Road before ending at Homewood Izaak Walton Preserve.
Some community members enjoying the parade sat in red, white and blue chairs. Others stood. Community members cheered, clapped and yelled “Happy Fourth!” at the passing parade.
Vehicles played music as they passed. Other parade participants marched on foot or rode bicycles or roller skates. Many waved American flags. Others threw candy and popsicles at the crowd. Youngers watching the parade jumped into the air to catch them.
Homewood’s oldest resident, 110-year-old Mary Cantway, serves as grand marshal at Homewood’s 4th of July parade. (Nick Ulanowski / H-F Chronicle)
110-year-old Mary Cantway, Homewood’s oldest resident, was the grand marshal of the parade Cantway rode in the passenger seat of a white convertible and waved at onlookers.
The parade also included local government offices, nonprofit organizations, churches, small businesses and private individuals, including but not limited to Boss Nation Cheerleading, Delta Sonic Car Wash, Homewood Izaak Walton Preserve, the Homewood Fire Department, the Homewood Public Works Department, PFLAG Homewood-Flossmoor and South Suburban Vineyard Church.
Some of those in the parade blew bubbles and threw bubble makers into the crowd, which Homewood village trustee Phillip Mason compared to Fourth of July fireworks.
“We want to encourage them to blow the bubbles instead of working with fireworks. […] There are a lot of people who can’t take those bangs. And the pets – it just drives them crazy,” Mason said, regarding why he passed out bubbles to parade onlookers. “It’s a much safer way to enjoy, be festive and have some fun.”
Homewood resident Kirk Powers sat in a blue chair, watching the parade. He wore a button-up shirt with the American flag and excerpts from the United States Constitution.
“The energy here is just great,” Powers said. “All the people around are just enjoying themselves. They’re clapping and they really want to be here.”
Homewood residents Jimmy Marinez and Alisha Marinez watched the parade with family members.
“It was really long compared to last year,” Jimmy said, speaking on the parade, adding that he thinks more community members were watching the parade as well. “Lots of candy. Lots of fun. It was pretty awesome.”
Speaking on Cantway, Alisha said, “I hope I can live that long.”
