The 4th of July Parade

Local Democratic Party contingent files into a Suburban parade route in the heartland of the greater Chicagoland metropolitan area. (Photo courtesy of the Winfield Township Democratic Organization)

Along with flaming barbecues and exploding fireworks, the Fourth of July parade is among the more iconic images of the US Independence Day holiday season.

I am fortunate enough to have experienced parades from the vantagepoint of both audience and marcher. I always got as much of a kick out of all the groups, organizations and acts passing by in the street as I did from the characters in the crowds along the curbs and…