Plainfield Irish Parade Grand Marshal Announced

PLAINFIELD, IL — Organizers have announced the grand marshal for this year's Plainfield Hometown Irish Parade. Local volunteer and historian Nicki Alander will lead the 17th annual parade when it steps off on March 10.

Alander brought her family to Plainfield in 1965, according to the Irish parade website. “I used to stop and drive around the town, and I thought, ‘What a lovely place to live,’” she said.

A retired teacher and cheerleading coach at Joliet West High School, Alander became involved in the Plainfield Historical Society, serving on the organization's board and overseeing its museum on Main Street.

Read more about Alander and her contributions to the community.

This year's parade, organized by the Village Preservation Association, steps off at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 10, from Plainfield High School - Central Campus, 24120 Fort Beggs Drive. The parade winds around downtown Plainfield, moving along James Street, Lockport Street, Illinois Street and Commercial Street. See the route here.

The deadline for registering parade entries is March 4 and signup is available online.

This year's parade will include a family area at Lockport and DesPlaines streets with free face painting, bounce houses for kids, vendors, food trucks and more. Special entertainment will include bagpipers and Irish dance groups.