By JOSEPH G. LARIOSA

(© 2012 Journal Group Link International) 

C HICAGO (jGLi) -- The Filipino-American parade in Chicago, Illinois, which disappeared for a quarter of century, is making a modest comeback when it joins the 4th of July Parade in suburban Skokie, Illinois.

Skokie Commissioner Jelly Carandang is urging her fellow Filipino Americans to join the singing Trio, the Angelos, at the Skokie 4th of July Parade.

Assembly is at Oakton Community College Parking Lot on Lincoln Avenue in Skokie at 10:30 a.m.

Since over 50 groups will be joining the parade, Filipino-American participants should look for the Philippine Flag in joining the parade.

Ms. Carandang said she is planning to rent a utility trailer that will be used as a float base. But she is looking for a vehicle and its driver, which can haul the float.

She is also looking for volunteers and those who can offer ideas on how to make the participation memorable and successful.

Parade starts at 12:00 noon. But since Lincoln Avenue is closed to traffic at 11 a.m., parking is available across the street from the college.

SHORT DISTANCE

O nly participating vehicles will be allowed at the assembly point.  The distance covered by the parade is short (about seven blocks): from the OCC parking lot to the Oakton Park District on Oakton & Skokie Blvd.. But because of the number of participating groups, the parade could last a couple of hours to finish.

Ms. Carandang is enjoining the Filipino Americans to wear their native costumes with pride. “The more colorful, the better.” 

A number of marching bands will be coming from as far away as Utah, Wisconsin and Minnesota to participate.  Thousands will be watching.  “Let's show the world that Filipinos and Filipino Americans are strong in our community and surrounding areas,” she said.

Refreshments will be served at the Kumon School in Skokie on Oakton St., across from the end point of the parade. 

She urged parties interested to join to email her at msjellybeans@aol.com.

She is also offering complimentary tickets on a first-come, first-served basis for those interested to watch the Angelos concert on July 7th at Niles West High School also in Skokie.

In the early eighties, Filipino Americans used to hold a parade in downtown Chicago during the Philippine Independence Day celebration. But lack of parade participants and watchers prompted organizers to cancel the parade.

The absence of the parade became more permanent when Philippine Independence organizers split into four. Two of these groups, however, come together to hold a motorcade, instead of a parade, en route to the picnic area, where they converge and hold community cultural events.

Skokie is home to hundreds of Filipino-American families. # # #

Editor’s Note: To contact the author, please e-mail him at: (lariosa_jos@sbcglobal.net)