More than 10,000 guests lined up along Ridgeland Avenue to watch the annual parade, which comprised about 60 participants. The celebration is the brainchild of Cedric Melton, the Village's Community Relations Director. Melton moved to Oak Park in 2001, and suggested the village resume holding the parades. His idea was met with enthusiasm and the parades have rolled every year since.
Oak Park is known for its diversity and the tolerance and acceptance citizens show one another, and that diversity was the theme for the parade this year, according to Melton. He noted that a wide range of organizations and entities participated, including service organizations, animal lovers and their pets, children's groups, and musical groups. Organizations from neighboring communities like Melrose Park also took part.
Melton said the Village is “not an island” and he was happy to welcome participants from other areas. He noted that this year the parade had the largest participation ever, stating:
“We had our largest number of participants ever. If anything made it happen, it was our use of volunteers. We couldn't do it without them.”
Parade organizers could work with a flyer printing company on a mailer for residents, describing this year's success and asking them to think ahead and participate next year.