SRC and Sikh leaders at the Parade
PALATINE, IL: Sikh Religious Society of Chicago (SRC) and Palatine Gurudwara organized the participation of Sikh community in the Independence Day parade in the village of Palatine Illinois on July 2. The mission of the parade was to celebrate July 4 Independence Day.
This annual parade with more than eighty entries is organized by the Palatine Jaycees. The Palatine village mayor Jim Schwantz, the ex Chicago Bear and NFL Star, and other local dignitaries watched the parade from a reviewing station. US senator Mark Kirk also marched in the parade along with his contingent. The parade ended near the “Hometown Fest” at Community Park where a weeklong festival of food booths, arts and crafts, entertainment, shopping, carnival with rides and fun filled activities for all, was in full swing.
Members from Palatine Gurudwara led by President Harkirat Singh Sandhu displayed their presence with a colorfully decorated float, two more decorated vehicles, a marching unit of about 100 Sikhs, Punjabi Dhol and a Sikh martial art “gatka” demonstration. The Sikh Americans marched with pride with American flag along with “Nishan Sahib” and distributed candies to children.
Thousands of local resident families and children lined up alongside the parade route to enjoy the parade and a beautiful sunny holiday. The spectators watched, waved and cheered the Sikh Americans walking down the parade sporting flowing beards and colorful turbans. Some of them inspired by the beats of the dhol drum joined the Bhangra dancers in the parade.
Sikh men, women and children of all ages dressed in ethnic dresses marched in the parade raising slogans of “Jo Bole So Nihaal……Sat Siri Akaal,” (whosoever believes that God is True…is a happy and contended person). The colorful turbans and women’s dupattas stood out in the parade. “Gatka” (Sikh Martial Arts) performance was demonstrated all along the parade route, which turned out to be an attractive highlight for spectators.
Bhangra dance steps were also demonstrated in the parade. The participants were served with refreshments at the parade end point.
Rajinder Singh Mago
