An unseasonably mild Saturday drew thousands to downtown Plainfield for the 60th annual Plainfield Community Homecoming Parade, which was dedicated to the message that one act of kindness can start a positive chain reaction.

The proactive approach is tied to Plainfield School District 202’s commitment to Rachel's Challenge, a mission started in the memory of a student who was killed during the Columbine High School massacre. 

“I think it’s important because Rachel’s Challenge sends a message to all students in a variety of ages that being kind and compassionate to others is so important in our society today,” Wesmere Elementary Assistant Principal Tracy Markowski said.

“And I really believe that building the floats together has supported being kind and supporting one another to get past these last couple weeks.”

The warm weather helped attract the large crowd who lined the downtown area from Van Dyke Road to James Street and then led toward Plainfield Central High School. Many were there to watch their children, grandchildren, neighbors, family and friends participate in the annual event, which included nearly 140 floats.

As tradition at the annual event, the 11^th District American Legion kicked-off the parade to a rousing ovation at the starting point near Lockport Street moving eastward.

“For the American Legion to lead off the parade is an indication of how the general public accepts veterans today compared to the Vietnam Era and it makes us very proud to be a part of the community,” 11thDistrict American Legion Commander Jim Smith said. “I think it’s an important thing and we’re very happy to be involved.”

With marching bands, floats, cheerleaders, homecoming courts and pom squads from all four high schools, and a large contingency of participants and floats from the 17 elementary and seven middle schools of Plainfield, the parade took on a celebratory feeling.

“We like coming to support our school,” said Janet Dvorak, who is the mother of two Heritage Grove students. “This year all of the kids were at Heritage Grove and this year they have a float so we’re particularly excited. But it’s always fun to come out and support your local community.”

No stranger to the festivities was Plainfield native Barb Furmankiewicz, who has attended the annual parade since she was 10 and watched the parade grow exponentially.

“There were only a couple floats back then, so the parade didn’t take as long,” Furmankiewicz said. “I think it is a little too long now. However, the kids have a good time.”

Dressed in school colors and armed with Halloween buckets and plastic bags, the children waited anxiously on the curb as parade participants tossed and handed children of all ages a variety of gum and candy.

“You definitely see the school spirit from each school,” said Brittny Bronner, who is a mother of two children at Eagle Pointe Elementary School. “It’s just fun to see all of the kids.”

In addition to the local schools, the area Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, YMCA, local businesses, Plainfield Fire Department, Plainfield Police Department, human society, athletic clubs, and local politicians show their civic pride during the two-hour parade.

“Over the years I’ve noticed more involvement with more of the elementary schools, middle schools, and all of the high schools coming together as a family which has been extremely supportive for the school district,” Markowski said.