A Star Spangled Parade in Palatine

From the Spinnaker Cove Homeowners Association to the Sikh Religious Society, Palatine celebrated the Fourth of July Saturday with a nearly 90-minute parade that drew big crowds as it wound its way through downtown and residential neighborhoods.

Onlookers lined the route, in some areas standing three deep, as the parade, featuring flag waving, candy tossing children and adults, marched slowly past. There were more than 80 entries in this year's parade.

The event featured a wide variety of participants from the South Shore Drill Corp to a combined cheerleading unit from Fremd and Palatine high schools.

Both groups wowed the judges stand near the corner of Smith and Slate streets tossing cheerleaders into the air and twirling brightly colored banners and rifles to patriotic music.

The parade drew its share of political figures, led by Republican U. S. Senator Mark Kirk.

Anticipating a big crowd, parade organizers had the route closed by 9 a.m., but that didn’t keep some from arriving early to stake out the best viewing spots.

Danielle Henslen arrived with her daughter Kailey to claim a spot large enough for a tent to provide shade for her dad, Harry.

“We get here early to make sure he has some shade,” said Danielle who was toting chairs and a portable tent around 9 a.m.

Michael Riddle showed up with his son, Benjamin, 2, and daughters Autumn, 6 and Ashlyn 5 to set up at a spot on near the corner of Smith and Slade.

“We’ve been at the same spot for 9 years,” he said. "Well actually its 8 years. We were in Hawaii one year on our honeymoon.”

But perhaps the best prepared parade watcher of the day was Pat Sutarik of Palatine. She watched the festivities from beneath a colorful golf umbrella, she held for herself and a companion.

Correction: Slate street was corrected to read Slade at 7:34 a.m., July 3.