Community

Annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service and Parade Set for October 8


Fire Captain Mike Wheeler rings bell remembering fallen firefighters

Fire Captain Mike Wheeler sounds a bell at a 2007 ceremony honoring fallen firefighters. (Photo: ENEWSPF)

Residents Encouraged to Attend Silent Parade

Park Forest, IL–(ENEWSPF)– On Thursday, October 8, the Park Forest Fire Department will host the 29th Annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service and Parade. This parade of lights-only emergency vehicles is held annually in remembrance of the firefighters who have given their lives to save ours.

The memorial service is held at Calvary Church, 425 N. Orchard St., beginning at 6:30 p.m., immediately followed by the parade, which should step off at approximately 7 p.m.

Residents are encouraged to come out to support this touching event and their local firefighters. Traditionally, residents have lined the parade route with candles as emergency vehicles from Park Forest and surrounding communities slowly drive past.

The parade route will be as follows: Leave Calvary Church and travel south on Orchard Drive to Westwood Drive, turn right on Westwood Dr. and follow to Sauk Trail where the parade will veer to the left and then turn right on to Shabbona Drive. Follow Shabbona to Orchard Drive and turn left taking Orchard Drive to Sauk Trail. The parade will then turn left onto Sauk Trail and proceed to Indianwood and turn right. Take Indianwood to Orchard and turn left following Orchard to Main Street where parade units will continue through the Downtown Park Forest area to Forest Boulevard. Turn right on to Forest Boulevard and continue to Indianwood Boulevard. Turn right on to Indianwood Boulevard and follow to the parking lot entrance just west of the fire station, completing at the Village Hall parking lot.

On Saturday, October 10, beginning at 9 a.m., the Fire Department, Mayor, and the Board of Trustees will host a Dedication Ceremony for the Village’s new Fire and Police Memorial. The ceremony will be held at the Memorial site just east of the Fire Station. All are welcome to attend.

The Fire Department will host the annual Fire Prevention Week Open House from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, please visit the Village’s Web site: www.villageofparkforest.com.


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