73rd Annual Lemont Keepataw Day Parade & Fun Fest Returns This Sunday with Parade, Music, Food, & Family Fun

This Sunday, August 31, 2025, will mark a beloved local tradition: the 73rd Annual Lemont Keepataw Day Parade & Fun Fest. With a theme of “Neighbors Helping Neighbors,” the day promises a perfect blend of community pride, entertainment, and family fun in downtown Lemont.

Parade Details

The parade begins at 1 p.m. It will step off at Stephen and Main Streets, proceed down Main Street, turn at Turnabout Pizza onto Illinois Street, and conclude at Illinois Street and Lemont Street. Parade participants should arrive by 12 p.m. and be in place by 12:45 p.m.

Returning once again is Mark Huegelmann, a familiar voice and longtime community volunteer who has served as parade announcer for many years. Huegelmann will keep the crowd engaged and informed as floats, marching bands, and community groups make their way through downtown.

Judging the parade will be Mona Parry of the Art and Culture Commission of Lemont, Kim Hyla, Civics Chairperson of the Lemont Garden Club, and Lemont High School AP Art students Ava Zdenovec and Natalie Hamersly. Judges will be stationed at St. Matthew Lutheran Church on Illinois Street.

The Parade Grand Marshal is Terri O’Neill-Borders, founder of the Hope & Friendship Foundation. Terri has dedicated decades to bringing neighbors together in service, compassion, and community support, making her a true embodiment of this year’s theme, “Neighbors Helping Neighbors.”

Fun Fest Schedule

The Fun Fest runs from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. in downtown Lemont at the Metra lot.

Live Music Lineup

Food Vendors

Kids’ Corner (2–6 p.m.)

Fill the Bus: A Parade Tradition of Giving

This year’s parade will also feature a chance to give back through Fill the Bus, hosted by Bethany Lutheran Church’s Pantry. The Pantry bus will ride in the parade, with volunteers collecting donations of food, paper products, and personal hygiene items directly from the curb as the bus passes. For those attending the Fun Fest, a donation bin will also be available next to the ticket booth to collect items throughout the day.

Most needed items include toilet paper, paper towels, canned meats, salad dressing, coffee, and cereal. If you cannot make it to the parade or Fun Fest, you can still contribute through the Pantry’s Amazon Wishlist QR code, available on their flyer, website, and social media.

Parking & Street Closures

No parking will be allowed on Sunday, August 31, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on River, Front, Stephen, Talcott, Main, Illinois, and Lemont Streets, with additional restrictions on Canal and Ed Bossert Streets. Signs will be posted beginning Thursday, August 28. Streets along the parade route and surrounding areas will be closed from 12:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., with Canal and Ed Bossert remaining closed until midnight. All Metra lots will be closed Saturday, August 30, through Monday, September 1.

See you in downtown Lemont this Sunday for the 73rd Annual Keepataw Day Parade & Fun Fest! For more information, visit https://www.lemontkeepataw.com...