ParkTalk Blog – Parading Around with the Park District!

Tuesday, September 1, 2026

The Naperville Park District engages with the community in a variety of ways throughout the year. In 2025, the Naperville Park District’s Parade Crew was created to connect with residents during  the community’s parades, which are popular and well attended. 

Getting the Crew Together!

The Parade Crew at the 2025 Naperville Labor Day Parade.

The Parade Crew is comprised of park board members, Park District employees, and some family members. Their first appearance was at the Naperville Labor Day Parade in 2025. This parade is held during the annual Naperville Jaycee’s Last Fling; a four-day festival in Downtown Naperville attended by thousands of people every Labor Day weekend. Parade participants begin the parade route on Mill Street near Ogden Avenue and travel south through the neighborhood before cutting through the heart of Downtown Naperville. Families gather every year to watch parade floats, collect candy, and celebrate the end of the summer season. The Park District Parade Crew interacts with residents on the route by handing out branded giveaways and seasonal event cards.

“The parades in Naperville are so fun and engaging for the community,” said Sales & Sponsorship Manager Stacey Fontechia, who helped create the Parade Crew. “The Naperville Park District is a staple in the community, so it’s wonderful to connect with so many people throughout the parade route who participate in our programming, use our different facilities – whatever it may be!”

The Parade Crew showing their festive side at the Holiday Parade of Lights.

Parades also give Park District the opportunity to show off their fun and creative sides. The Parade Crew participates in seasonal events and holiday parades that are centered around a unique theme. During the 2025 Holiday Parade of Lights, the Crew wore festive hats and incorporated stringed lights into their outfits. Additionally, they covered the Park District vehicle that accompanied them with luminous lights as if it were a mobile Christmas tree. During the 2026 West Suburban Irish Parade held in Naperville around St. Patrick’s Day, the Parade Crew dressed head-to-toe in green and fashioned the roof of the Park District vehicle in a leprechaun’s top hat.

“Staff members have enjoyed the experience as well,” Stacey continued. “Everyone that has come out has had a blast. We dress up, play music, and make a great time out of it!”

Connecting the Community through Parades

Parades are commonly held for a celebration of a holiday, event or milestone. Typically accompanied by marching bands and floats, parades are also a great opportunity for local businesses, clubs, and other organizations to gain public exposure and personally interact with the community. They are effective community connectors that can build strong communal ties and strengthen the residents’ bonds to their neighbors and hometown.

The Naperville Park District greatly values community connection, and the Parade Crew provides opportunities to highlight the organization. 

“Our presence at the parades has been received so well – people seem to love seeing the Naperville Park District on the route,” said Stacey. “There are always people who say to us, ‘We love the Park District’ and that’s a cool thing to hear, because it means we are making a difference in the community!”

Naperville parades have become another way for the Park District to connect with residents and make their experience more fun and memorable. The Park District Parade Crew is excited for future parades and seeing more community members throughout the parade routes!