While the village of Riverside had to improvise a bit with its July 4 parade this year, officials also wanted to make sure residents could still participate by decorating their homes and blocks to vie for awards.
“We want to thank everyone for joining us during our Riverside parade honoring first responders,” said Ron Malchiodi, the director of parks and recreation for the village. “It was great seeing so many families in their yards, greeting us. Also a big thank you to residents who decorated their houses, dressed up in the July 4 gear, made signs and banners and submitted photos.”
Malchiodi announced that the winner of the Most Decorated Yard Award was the Duff family, who spray-painted red, white and blue stars into their front lawn, accenting other tar-spangled decorations.
Winning Best Fourth of July Theme was the Kirsch family, who turned their front windows into an American flag using red crosses, peace signs and hearts to form the stripes and placing a garland of red, white and blue balloons above the garage door.
The Red, White and Blue Spirit Award when to the Audubon Road Social Society, who denied a chance to stand out, as usual, in the parade welcomed the parade to the street under a banner thanking first responders that stretched from one side of the street to the other.
