Crowds of families and friends lined the streets along the parade route Sunday during Oswego’s annual PrairieFest celebration in Oswego.
The parade – part of four days of attractions at PrairieFest – featured a 1950s theme to honor the 75th anniversary of the Oswegoland Park District.
The first of the units were members of the Oswego Fire Protection District, Oswego Police Department, Kendall County Sheriff’s Office and Oswego American Legion Post 675.
Katie Husarik, of Oswego, was with her son and daughter, Slate, 5 and Covee, 3, on Main Street to cheer the people going by in the parade.
“We come to PrairieFest every year. The parade is a fan favorite for our kids,” Husarik said.
Amy Danison and Sarah Cooley met for the first time along the parade route on Sunday. The mothers are proud parents with children in the Oswego High School and Oswego East High School marching bands.
“It’s gratifying to see all of their hard work actually come to fruition in the parade,” Danison said. “The freshmen in particular had to prepare to march in their first-ever parade.”
The park district has a long list of community partners to help put on PrairieFest, including the village of Oswego and Oswego School District 308, organizers said.
“Our boundaries encapsulate around 38 square miles and we know with future development there will be more residents to come,” Oswegoland Park District Executive Director Tom Betsinger said of the district’s mission.
PrairieFest began more than 30 years ago as Oswego Days.
“The park district assumed responsibility for the festival from a community group of volunteers,” he said. “PrairieFest is the largest festival in Kendall County.”
Approximately 10,000 to 15,000 people of all ages attend the activities, carnival, expo, car show and musical performances each day at the fest, he said.
Oswegoland Park District Recreation Manager Paige Tully was the chief organizer of the parade on Sunday.
“We encouraged parade participants to embrace the 1950s era with floats and costumes to reflect that time,” Tully said.
The one-mile parade route began at Garfield and Jefferson streets. Some 43 units marched down Jefferson to Main Street through the downtown where they were greeted by spectators. The parade ended at Washington and Tyler streets.
The parade is traditionally held on Father’s Day.
“It’s always nice to see families and friends come out,” Tully said.
Amy Mcmahill and Diana Toutant marched in the parade for Oswego Cub Scout Pack 336 and were decked out in poodle skirts with bows in their hair in keeping with the parade’s theme.
“My dad had a 1957 Chevrolet so I appreciate the 1950s, plus our Cub Scouts are celebrating their 50th anniversary, Toutant said. “The sun is shining and the temperatures are pleasant. We could not have asked for a better day for a parade.”
Marching bands were of course a big part of the parade.
Oswego High School Band Director Stephanie San Roman and Oswego East High School Band Director Stevan Rexroat said it was an honor to march in the event.
“Our incoming freshman are performing in their first parade,” San Roman said. “I hope people get excited about the start of summer and the approaching school year. We perform pep tunes to get the crowds excited.”
“We would like for the spectators to enjoy our energy and know they are supporting wonderful arts programs in our school district,” Rexroat said.
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
