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Lake Forest Day celebrates veterans, holds carnival
Laura Berrettini Lindeman, Girard Haughey, and Vanessa Berrettini Smith, all of Lake Forest. | Tricia Sweet~For Sun-Times Media
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Updated: September 20, 2012 4:38PM
Thousands braved the beating sun as the 104th annual Lake Forest Day Parade weaved through the streets of downtown last month.
Nearly 100 groups marched up Western Avenue and over to West Park, including politicians, non-profit groups, baseball associations and schools. Among parade participants, BMO Bank/South Shore Drill Team won the Commanders Trophy, while CROYA of Lake Forest captured the Most Original Trophy.
The parade theme, “Lake Forest Salutes Vietnam Veterans,” heartened many who knew that those returning from the lengthy and divisive war in the 1960s and 1970s had often not been properly treated. As always, West Park hosted a popular carnival the night before the parade and on Lake Forest Day itself, featuring rides, chances to win goldfish and more.
“Bingo was a lot of fun this year, and I like going on all the rides with my friends,” said Will Blodgett, of Lake Forest.
Kate Wildman, of Lake Bluff, added, “I went on the Zipper this year, and it was so scary but so much fun.”
The makeshift beer garden in the West Park tennis courts was packed. Laura Lindeman, of Lake Forest, said, “I look forward to Lake Forest Day every year to reconnect with old friends and new.”
The event ended with a money giveaway — a raffle drawing at 11 p.m. as West Park closed offered $5,000 in cash to one winner, $150 in cash to 20 others and a $10,000 grand prize.
After taking it over from the Lake Forest Woman’s Club in 1921, the members of the Lake Forest American Legion on McKinley Road have presented Lake Forest Day ever since.~
