Community Corner

Patriotic Parade Returns to Oak Forest

The I Am An American Day Parade splashed red, white and blue along Central Avenue, with local businesses, organizations—and war reenactors—decked out for the return of a longtime favorite.

With all the red, white and blue, it might have looked a bit more like mid-summer, rather than September in Oak Forest Saturday, Sept. 15. 

Local businesses, organizations and residents pulled out the patriotic attire for one last time this year, for the return of the I Am An American Day parade. The parade traveled Central Avenue, from 151st to the Oak Forest Commons parking lot, where it turned and made its way to the Oak Fest grounds. 

The parade's run originally ended in the early '80s, but Alderman Rich Simon sought to bring it back earlier this year. The parade was followed by reenactments of the War of 1812 and Napoleonic War. , route: {:controller=>"articles", :action=>"show", :id=>"reenactors-bring-a-glimpse-of-history-to-oak-forest"} -->Reenactors made an appearance in the parade, which also included a somber tribute to the anniversary of 9/11 terrorist attacks. Oak Forest Fire Department representatives rode along with a piece of a steel beam from the World Trade Center,

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