Lombard's Lilac Parade shines in rain

Most years, ardent parade fans head out early and line the curbs of Main Street with blankets and lawn chairs to hold their places until the fire engines start rolling north with their sirens on full-wail to announce the start of Lombard's Lilac Parade.

And, most years, Lombardians past and present line the parade route four or five deep to get a glimpse of the Lilac Queen and her court, the floats, the horses, the Jesse White Tumblers, the old cars, the costumed kids in the decorated wagons, those crazy-driving Shriners and the marching bands — oh, those marching bands.

Of course, most years the parade falls on a warm (or downright hot), sunny Sunday afternoon and most parade goers head home with their first sunburns of the season.

This was not most years.

With temperatures in the mid-40s and a light rain dripping on the route, some estimates put the crowd for the May 15 parade at half the traditional turnout.

But those who huddled under umbrellas and used their blankets to keep warm rather than mark territory were treated to the full show. The tumblers tumbled, local politicians waved, the Indian Guides and Indian Princesses left their marks on fans' faces and the high school and middle school bands marched — oh, did they march.

Floats followed the theme of Cause for Celebration, highlighting elements of Lombard and the participating organizations. Parade judges honored entries in a variety of categories. Here's a look at the winners:

Floats

Civic, amateur-made

1st: YMCA Indian Princess: Cherokee and Mohawk

2nd: Tri-Town YMCA Indian Guides

3rd: YMCA Indian Princess: Sauk and Huron

3rd: Cub Scout Pack 42

Civic, professionally made

1st: Helen M. Plum Memorial Library

2nd: Lombard Falcons Football and Cheerleading

Commercial, amateur made

1st: Heavenly Cupcake Shop

2nd: Sky Centers Martial Arts

Bands

High school

1st: Glenbard East Marching Band

2nd: Willowbrook Marching Band

Grade/middle school

1st: Marquardt Middle School

2nd: Westlake Middle School

3rd: District 45 Marching Band

Pipe and drum corps

1st: Royal Airs Drum and Bugle Corps

2nd: Tunes of Glory Pipe and Drums

3rd: City of Chicago Pipe Band

Non-marching bands

1st: Antioch Brass Quintet

2nd: Northwest Suburban Concert Band

2nd: Sinful Saints Dixieland Band

Drill team and color guards

Drill team

1st: New Generation Fancy Drill Team

2nd: Lexington Rifles

3rd: Jazz Steppers Drill Team

Color guard

1st: DuPage County Marine Corps League Color Guard

2nd: Knights of Columbus

Equestrians

1st: Medinah Black Horse Troop

Antique vehicles

1st: 1975 Maroon Chevy Corvette

2nd: 1964 Black Chevy Corvette

3rd: Deuce and a Half from the Northern Illinois Military Vehicle Preservation Association

Clowns and Novelty

Clowns

1st: Medinah Clown Unit

2nd: Ronald McDonald

Novelty, motorized

1st: Medinah Motor Corps

2nd: Lombard Leapers Tumbling Team

3rd: Potbelly Sandwich

Novelty, nonmotorized

1st: Cooperative Nursery School

2nd: Jesse White Tumbling Team

2nd: Latin Zest Boliviamanta