ENGLEWOOD — The 53rd annual back-to-school Englewood parade kicks off Saturday.
The parade procession will start at 10:30 a.m. from 56th and Halsted streets, head south on Halsted and then west on 67th Street to Throop Street.
Groups or organizations interested in walking in the parade can register between 8:30-10 a.m. Saturday. This year the New Life Covenant Church from Grand Crossing is sending more than 100 male volunteers.
After the parade, the community is invited to attend a picnic from 1-4 p.m. at Ogden Park, 6500 S. Racine Ave. There will be free food, entertainment, yoga demonstrations, activities for children and more. There will also be backpack and school supply giveaways.
Organizers are seeking donations for children going back to school. Those interested can send an email to EnglewoodParade@Gmail.com.
Some of the sponsors include White Castle and U.S. Bank, nonprofit I Grow Chicago, Graham Funeral Directors and Cremation Services LLC in Gage Park and entertainer/Englewood resident Maurice Pha'tal Perkins.
The parade was founded in 1963 by the late Willie Pittman, an Englewood resident, but was not held for a couple of years until Englewood native Nicole Vaughn, one of the coordinators for the parade, restarted it last year with the help of the late Ald. JoAnn Thompson (16th), Vaughn said.
"What prompted me to do it was the love of the community," Vaughn said, adding that during the parade day everyone promotes peace.
Continuing the parade each year is important, she said.
"We need this parade. It shows that we are able to bring people together and restore the sense of pride in the community," Vaughn said.
It will be different this year without Thompson, Vaughn said.
"The late great Ald. JoAnn Thompson was my friend and very instrumental in helping bring this back. This year is dedicated to her," Vaughn said.
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