Homewood residents turn out for return of 4th of July festivities

From left, Chloe Calderon, Olivia and Giana Rostoker and James Calderon try to entice parade participants to take aim at their candy-collecting target. James explained that the kids hoped to get "all the candy" with their target. (EC)
The Homewood 4th of July begins for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began. (EC)
A view looking east on Ridge Road as the first section of the 4th of July parade makes its way to Irwin Park. (EC)
A Betsy Ross-type character on stilts waves to the crowd at the Homewood 4th of July parade. (EC)
The crowd watching the parade from the south side of Ridge Road at Irwin Park appears to be similar in size to pre-pandemic times. (EC)
Plenty of parade participants sported American flags during the Homewood 4th of July parade. (EC)
The proliferation of American flags at the Homewood 4th of July parade is largely due to efforts by Boy Scout troops to distribute them. (EC)
Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority dance along the parade route to bring attention to their "Our Vote Matters" message. (EC)
One new feature of the Homewood parade was a big wheel performer. (EC)
Robbi Hameister poses with her grandchildren Charlee, Wyatt and Gregory next to a Day of the Dead character created by local artist Xicantl. (EC)
One of the Day of the Dead characters created by Xicantl, whose work stars in Homewood's Day of the Dead festival in October. (EC)
Members of the Stock Yards Kilty Band bring the sound of pipes and drums to the Homewood 4th of July parade. (EC)
Members of the Stock Yards Kilty Band bring the sound of pipes and drums to the Homewood 4th of July parade. (EC)
The Dia de los Muertos characters show new creations by Xicantl, the local artist who designed Homewood's first Day of the Dead celebration last year. This year's event is scheduled for 4 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15. (EC)
Homewood 4th of July grand marshals Robert Hansen, back row left, and Tim Flanagan, right, of HCF Homewood, are ready to step off for the march through town. They were led by, from left, Gina Bonanotte, Addie Zawaski, Teagan Meeks and Katie Douglas. (MT)

It was just like old times in Homewood on Monday, July 4, with crowds, many dressed in red, white and blue, gathering to watch the traditional parade for the first time since 2019.

Hundreds of people lined Dixie Highway from St. Joseph Catholic Church to Ridge Road and from Ridge east to Izaak Walton Nature Preserve to watch businesses, organizations and local officials march.

There was some music by parade regular Kings of Dixieland and the Stock Yards Pipe and Drums corp. A few parade watchers showed their dance moves as the groups passed by.

Video highlights | parade

Tai Jordan, left, and Cameren Jordan, in the black T-shirt, play a game of bag toss at the 4th of July community picnic. (EC)
People from Homewood, Flossmoor and nearby communities gather at Izaak Walton Nature Preserve on July 4 for an old fashioned community picnic. (EC)

Following the parade, volunteers resurrected the community picnic of old at Izaak Walton, trading bouncy houses for games like bag toss, volleyball, races, yoga by Serendipity Yoga, science activities by the Homewood Science Center and face painting by John Harrell Insurance.

Picnickers could bring their own lunch spread or purchase hot dogs or brats from Izaak Walton volunteers.

Video highlights | picnic

Photos by Eric Crump (EC) and Marilyn Thomas (MT) for the H-F Chronicle. Videos by Eric Crump.

Homewood residents turn out for return of 4th of July festivities

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