Parading toward normalcy: Lansing’s Good Neighbor Day Parade a sunny, fun event for all

By
Josh Bootsma
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2240

52nd Good Neighbor Day Parade a welcome return to form after COVID hiatus

By Josh Bootsma

LANSING, Ill. (May 1, 2021) – The disappointment of last year’s cancelled Good Neighbor Day Parade made this year’s annual parade through the heart of Lansing even more special for both walkers and watchers.

Organized by the Lansing Area Chamber of Commerce, the 52nd annual Lansing Good Neighbor Day Parade invited participants to decorate according to a superhero theme, a nod to the many local heroes that the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed.

This year’s parade deviated from previous routes, traveling west on Ridge Road from Wentworth Avenue to Burnham Avenue, where it turned south and ended near 186th Street.

Lansing Area Chamber of Commerce Director Amy Todd said the parade drew fewer participants this year than in past years, though many new participants signed up.

Though the wind gusted at times, the parade — which stepped off at 2 p.m. — enjoyed beautiful and sunny weather.

Highlights from the Good Neighbor Day Parade

Good Neighbor Day
Interim Police Chief Rick Slough monitored the crowd and traffic before the parade reached Ridge Road and Ada Street. (Photo: Josh Bootsma)
Good Neighbor Day
The Clausing family was ready to cheer on one of its own during the Good Neighbor Day Parade. (Photo: Josh Bootsma)
Good Neighbor Day
The Lansing Memorial Ceremonial Honor Guard were one of the first to parade west down Ridge Road on Saturday afternoon. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)
Good Neighbor Day
Led by president Nick Grigutis, the Lansing American Legion Riders slowly rumbled their way along Ridge Road. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)
Good Neighbor Day
The view from above as the Legion Riders inched along. (Photo: Josh Bootsma)
Spider Woman was just one of many excellent super hero costumes seen during Saturday’s Good Neighbor Day Parade.
Good Neighbor Day
State Senator Elgie Sims was pounding the pavement during Saturday’s parade. (Photo: Josh Bootsma)
A live music float from Visible Music College pauses in front of the Lansing Clocktower. (Photo: Josh Bootsma)
Boy Scout Troop 276 turns to salute the flag near the crowded intersection of Ridge Road and Grant Street. (Photo: Josh Bootsma)
The Thornton Township float was impressive. (Photo: Josh Bootsma)
Super Wendy the Waste Truck from Homewood Disposal Service made an appearance. (Photo: Josh Bootsma)
Lansing Mayor Patty Eidam greeted residents and informed them of Fox Pointe events during Saturday’s parade. (Photo: Josh Bootsma)
Good Neighbor Day
Village Trustees Saad Abbasy (left) and Mike Fish traverse Ridge Road on behalf of the Village. (Photo: Josh Bootsma)
An impressive city silhouette was the backdrop of Lansing Christian School’s “Teachers are our Superheroes” float. (Photo: Josh Bootsma)
The youngest members of the Morales family rest after working hard collecting candy and other goodies following Saturday’s parade. (Photo: Josh Bootsma)

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6 COMMENTS

  2. I enjoy reading the Lansing Journal and staying in touch about what’s happening in town.
    Lansing is a multi racial town YET one again I RARELY see it being represented in the Lansing Journal. According to the pictures you posted of the good neighbor day parade there was only 1 black person and he was a state representative pounding the pavement and only 1 latino family with 2 kids who watched the parade?
    You want readership then you MUST be inclusive otherwise your paper looks exclusive.
    I am about to give up the Lansing Journal, please do better by ALL not just some.

    • Smilja Ivancevic, thank you for this reminder. We absolutely do want the full range of Lansing’s diversity represented in our pages, and your comment has prompted us to keep improving. As a first step, we added a new featured image to the top of this story. We appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts. Please feel free to nudge us again if we fail to live up to our goals!

      • Thank you for your response.
        The Lansing journal is truly my source to what is happening in Lansing.

  3. I think it’s awesome that Lansing journal covers things that go on in Lansing Illinois I look forward to reading the articles and I’m proud of the Village of Lansing and I’m proud of the job at the Lansing journal is doing and keeping us informed of everything that’s going on in and around our community keep up the good work Melanie

    • Thank you, John Gehring! I am surrounded by a team of hardworking professionals who are as committed to Building Community as I am. And the work is supported by readers who believe in the mission and find ways to encourage it. Comments and conversation like this help keep us going!

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