The honor of Grand Marshal for the Houby Day Parade went to two departments this year: the police departments of Cicero and Berwyn. Police chiefs for both towns represented each agency as they marched down Cermak Road on Oct. 2.
“It’s a great honor to not only march as a Grand Marshal, but to also represent the men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting our town,” said Cicero Police Superintendent Jerry Chlada, Jr. Joining the Cicero and Berwyn forces were police representatives from Broadview, State Police, Forest Park, Riverside, Lyons, Stickney, Chicago and other communities.
The parade honors the contributions of the early Czech and Slovak settlers of the two communities. The Bohemians immigrated to the Chicagoland area during the 1900s and occupied western Chicago from the Pilsen neighborhood on to Berwyn.
“I enjoy seeing so many people come out to celebrate our Town’s history,” said Cicero Town President Larry Dominick. Thousands of people lined the route as cars and floats passed by. Both towns’ elementary school districts, Morton High School District 201 and Morton College joined in the parade festivities.
