Surendra Ullal
CHICAGO: Sikh Religious Society Palatine, Illinois (SRS) participated in American Independence Day parade on July 4 and its entry was officially judged the “Best of Parade” out of 85 entries. The American Independence Day parade was held on Saturday June 30 in the village of Palatine, a suburb of Chicago.
The Sikh society’s unit received an award certificate for this distinction. The society has received such awards in previous years as well. This annual parade is organized by the Palatine Jaycees as part of Home Town Festival to celebrate 4th of July. It is the 62nd year of this annual festival in the village of Palatine, where Sikh Religious Society operates a Gurdwara (Sikh place of worship) since 1979.
Despite the heat, enthusiastic crowds of people lined the streets along the parade route in great numbers. The parade was also broadcast on local Comcast TV channel 19.
The parade included school children, entries from civic organizations, marching bands, professional entertainment, local businesses, local government officials, Fire, Police and other village entities.
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner and attorney general candidate Erika Harold were among the statewide candidates working the crowd in the sweltering heat.
Sikh women and children affiliated with Palatine Gurdwara marched alongside their float decorated in patriotic colors and flags. The Sikhs distributed free ice cold bottled water, and candy to the spectators all along the parade route.
The parade ended near the community park where Palatine’s Fourth of July Celebration was in full swing. The festival included fireworks, entertainment, food vendors, parade, carnival, business expo, craft fair, and many other family activities.
Sikh martial art Gatka was demonstrated by the Sikhs, Punjabi Bhangra Dhol (drum) was also played live. A guest Punjabi Bhangra dance team performed dance moves for the spectators. The enthusiastic spectators clapped, smiled and danced in tune to the drum beats.
“We are so proud to receive the Best of Parade award. It’s a great opportunity to create awareness about Sikhs,” said Rajinder Singh Mago the coordinator of the Sikh participation in the parade.
An informational pamphlet “The Sikhs” was also distributed to the curious spectators.
Palatine is home to Sikh Religious Society Gurdwara, the oldest in Midwest America.
