The parade route was packed for the annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration on Saturday in downtown Grayslake.
The parade featured an estimated 40 entries. Amenities included bagpipe music by the Northern Illinois Pipes & Drums, free face painting, food for sale by local businesses, Irish step dancers, as well as ample candy, trinkets and green beads handed out as parade-route freebies.
The Grayslake Chamber of Commerce and the Grayslake Village Center were event partners. The parade began at Gelatin Park and moved along Center Street to its end at Lake Street.
Grayslake Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Maribeth Hamm said the parade was “even more exciting this year.”
“Our second-annual parade is more than just a celebration,” she said. “It’s a chance for families, friends and local businesses to gather, celebrate together and build lasting community traditions.”
Mayor Elizabeth Davies said, “The best part of being mayor is seeing our community come alive. We are truly lucky to have a dedicated chamber, civic groups and nonprofits that give Grayslake its character.
“This second year of our St. Patrick’s Day Celebration is the perfect time to grab a drink, check out our Village Center businesses and celebrate the spirit that makes us the best village in Lake County,” she said.
Julia Bowser of Grayslake, who was in attendance with daughter June, 5, said of the parade, “I love it. I’m so glad that they’ve decided to do it every year. We came last year, (and) we’re excited to come back.”
Along the parade route was a table set up by the Grayslake Professional Firefighters Local 4977 Union, where fundraiser t-shirts were sold by Jeff Paul, a fire lieutenant/firefighter/paramedic and union president, and Elias Leyva, a firefighter/paramedic.
Shirt sale proceeds benefited the union’s Benevolence Fund, which supports firefighter families in need and provides local support.
“We’re really close, even the wives and the children,” Leyva said. “It’s just one big happy family that when something happens to us, we know the union will support our partners and our children.”
Paul said, “We also help our community. We do local food drives (and) Christmas presents for some families in need. So, we try to give back to our community whenever we can, and that’s what we have our Benevolence Fund for.”
Dave Huffhimes of Antioch, whose beard and mustache were spraycolored green, said he is “half-Irish, half-German, but today is just a day to celebrate and enjoy the festivities.”
Kelley Plichta, the owner of Blush Boutique & Spa of Grayslake, made free sassy apple-flavored green cotton candy for patrons in front of the storefront. There was a long line for the complimentary spun sugar treat. Plichta’s boutique also offered for sale sparkly green and gold freckles or hair tinsel.
Giving back is important to Plichta, “because the community’s always here to support us. They’re the ones that keep us going as small businesses.”
Partaking of the green cotton candy was the Westphal family of Gurnee, including parents Jack and Emily, and their children Vaughn, 6, and Gus, 3.
“I love St. Patrick’s Day,” Emily Westphal said. “I was an Irish dancer growing up, so I’m excited to see them.”
Her husband said, “I think that everyone’s in it together. I think it’s fantastic that they can block off the street and everybody gets involved. It’s a good community.”
