Show Goes On For 4th Of July, Despite The Heat
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. (STMW) -- Wednesday's heat and humidity didn't stop the 4th of July parade in Hoffman Estates, where four towns were coming together to celebrate the nation's birthday.
CBS 2's Susanna Song reports the parade in Hoffman Estates wrapped up late Wednesday morning, with thousands of people sitting out under the sun for two hours to watch the various floats, marching bands, politicians, dancers, and other marchers pass by.
The parade watchers were hot and sweaty, but the sights and sounds of fire trucks, bands, and floats kept 1 ½ miles of the street packed with spectators.
Michelle Ludington was keeping cool with a large Styrofoam cup filled with ice.
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Even with an early 9 a.m. start, the sun blazed down on the parade, and water meant everything.
Jeannine Cincotta brought a cooler with plenty of ice cold drinks.
"I froze some water and I froze some Gatorade. They act as ice," she said. "That's the secret to staying cool."
One boy at the parade said they key to staying cool was "staying in the shade and drinking water." He'd had four bottles of water before 11 a.m., although he did use at least part of one other bottle to help his sister keep cool by pouring it on her head.
Some people have been coming to the 4th of July parade in Hoffman Estates for nearly three decades, so the heat wasn't going to end that tradition.
"We've been to every parade since we lived in the community," Kim Mertel said.
Her husband, Dwayne, said this year's parade was definitely he hottest one he could remember.
They used a big umbrella with a watermelon design to provide some shade, while others found nature to do the trick.
"I'm going to be under the shade, so I'm good," Jaja Butler said as she stood under a big tree along the parade route.
Megan and Lauren Ewanio didn't mind the heat, but mom and dad watched closely.
"We've got a whole entire cooler of water. We know that hydration is very important, so we're making sure that the girls stay hydrated," Michelle Ewanio said.
After the parade, they were headed to the pool, and possibly the Hoffman Estates fireworks show Wednesday night at the Sears Centre Arena.
Elgin, Hanover Park and Hanover Township joined Hoffman Estates to put on the 4th of July fireworks show, in order to save money and put on a bigger show than any of them would have put on by themselves.
Northwest suburban Des Plaines also kept its parade plans in place, despite the sweltering heat.
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Just before the parade stepped off, Des Plaines Mayor Marty Moylan said he wasn't worried about the heat, which could top out at 100 degrees.
"You know what they call it today, when it's hot like this? Summer," he said.
Daphne had a front row seat for the parade, just outside her house on Center Street, alongside a long row of children watching the parade and snacking on candy.
"They love the candy," Daphne said. "They do love the candy and all the parade goers that go by, so it's a lot of fun."
Carol Shannon said the key to enjoying the day is keeping cool by drinking plenty of water, and keeping tabs on the people with you in case they get overheated.
