Monica Capocasa’s 18-month-old daughter, Gianna, was decked out in red, white and blue butterfly wings and a shirt that said “Mommy’s American cutie” for her first-ever Fourth of July parade in Carpentersville.
Capocasa and her mom, Barb, walked a few blocks from their Old Town home, where Monica’s father was raised, to stake out a spot along Maple Avenue for Saturday’s parade. Born and raised in Carpentersville, Capocasa couldn’t remember the village ever hosting one.
“It’s nice not to have to go somewhere else to watch a parade,” Capocasa said.
Hundreds of people lined the parade route dressed in their American T-shirts and hats cheering as about 30 units marched along the tree-lined route that ended near Carpenter Park. Fire trucks, public works vehicles, Boy Scouts, politicians, cheerleaders and a dance squad were on hand, along with a Mexican banda and Mexican dancing horses with vaqueros atop.
Luz Maria Savala had a front-row seat. The 3-year-old and her family got there early. She lounged on a blanket just before police cars with their sirens and lights started coming down the street.
“She’s feeling the Fourth of July vibe,” said her mom, Maria.
Luz Maria’s sister, Catalina, 18 months, played with their dad, Miguel, near the blanket.
Maria Savala, who’s expecting a boy in September, was glad to have a parade so close to home. She was also happy to celebrate the Fourth. She appreciates the freedom in America, especially freedom of religion.
“That’s what we are celebrating,” she said.
She is Catholic and couldn’t imagine living somewhere she couldn’t practice her faith because “without it, I wouldn’t be who I am,” she said.
Capocasa feels it’s important to teach Gianna the importance of celebrating Independence Day, even if it seems like there’s less independence in the country because of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions, she said.
“It’s important for her to know how our country got its independence,” Capocasa said.
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
