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