Community Corner
Your Guide to the La Grange Pet Parade and Carnival
This weekend marks one of the village's most anticipated events—the 67th Annual La Grange Pet Parade, which coincides as it has for the past 19 years with the Ahhh! La Grange Carnival.
This year’s parade kicks off at 9:30 a.m. Saturday with the theme Miles of Smiles on Parade. The carnival runs Friday through Sunday along Harris Avenue between La Grange Road and Ashland Avenue.
There’s good reason that the two events run hand in hand, said Nancy Cummings, of the La Grange Business Association, which organizes the carnival.
“The Pet Parade speaks for itself,” she said. “It’s such an entrenched tradition. It’s sort of like Christmas. Everyone knows when it is. It made perfect sense to bookend the event.”
From where to watch the parade to what’s new at the carnival, Patch is here to help you navigate the weekend of events that officially kick off summer in La Grange.
Schedule of Events
Friday
- Carnival Hours: 5 p.m.-10 p.m
- Entertainment 5:30-6:30 p.m. The Adjustments; 7-10 p.m. The Trailer Park Twisters; 6-8 p.m. Frankie Aces Comedy Magic (roving)
- Carnival Hours: Noon-10 p.m.
- Pet Parade: 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
- Entertainment 2-5 p.m. DJ; 4-5 p.m. Impact Dance Studio Performance Company; 5:30-7:30 p.m. Teknikal Diffikulties; 8-10 p.m. Mason Rivers Band
- Carnival Hours: Noon-7 p.m.
- Entertainment Noon-3 p.m. High School Bands; 1-3 p.m. Frankie Aces Comedy Magic (roving); 3-5 p.m. Evil Burrito' 5-7 p.m. Out for Hours;
What’s New
Rides- Elephant Ride
- Free Fall: Kids sit in a rectangular car that rises vertically before dropping to the base for a soft landing.
- Speedway: Mini racecars take kids on a trip around an oval-shaped track.
The carnival hasn’t featured a lot of live entertainment in the past, but Cummings said the LGBA decided to expand the offerings this year throughout all three days.
“We’re spreading out the entertainment and making it a family affair where the whole family can come out and enjoy the entertainment,” she said.
In addition to musicians and a dance troupe, the carnival will also feature magician Frank Alletto.
Food Vendors will be in the parking lot behind Palmer Place.
- Aracely’s Bakery
- Armand’s
- Fireside Pizza Café
- Palmer Place
- Traditional carnival fare
When to Get the Best Deal
Carnival visitors can get unlimited rides for $20 from noon-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. (You need to buy a separate pass each day.) Otherwise, tickets cost $1 a piece, and rides require varying numbers of tickets.Pet Parade 101
Parade Route: The parade starts at Cossitt Avenue and La Grange Road and heads north before making a left on Burlington. It continues to Brainard before making another left. It concludes by turning right onto Cossitt and wrapping up at Lyons Township High School’s North Campus.Announcing stations are located at:
- Cossitt Avenue and La Grange Road
- Burlington Avenue and La Grange Road
- South Park Road and Cossitt Avenue
When to Get There
Most parade watchers we chatted with try to get there at least an hour before the 9:30 a.m. kickoff, though one early bird arrives at 5:45 a.m. and gets breakfast downtown first.Where to Watch
Patch readers suggested the following spots for the best view:- The fire station
- Any corner along the route
- Blueberry Hill
- Horton’s
- The block between the La Grange Theatre and Horton’s
- Walk along the route throughout the parade
Grand Marshals
This year a group rather than individual serves as the parade’s grand marshal:- Honor Flight Chicago World War II Veterans
- Junior grand marshal Molly McElligot, 11, achieved her post by coming up with the theme for this year’s parade: Miles of Smiles on Parade.
What’s New
This year’s parade includes an opening ceremony featuring Chicago Blackhawks’ National Anthem singer Jim Cornelison. He'll be near the announcer in front of Floyd's 99 and the village fountain.The ceremony will recognize the veterans from Honor Flight Chicago, as well as first responders and current servicemen and women.
Parade with a Purpose
While the fun factor of the parade is obvious, it’s also a march for a good cause. Pets and Pals Charities organizes the parade to promote the importance of healthy, well-cared for pets, as well as the benefits of the relationship between animals and their owners.Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
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