Polish Constitution Day Parade

Since its inception in 1892, members of Chicago's Polonia have united each spring to salute their homeland’s legacy of freedom. The inaugural procession took place in Humboldt Park, then the heart of Polish Downtown, where community societies, fraternal clubs, and parish congregations first marched under red-and-white banners. After World War II the parade migrated eastward—first along State Street, then Dearborn Street—and in 2003 settled on its current downtown route through Grant Park. Over more than a century, the event has survived world wars, economic upheavals, and waves of immigration, remaining a vibrant testament to Polish pride and civic engagement.

The parade is organized each year by the Association of Polish Clubs, a federation of over 50 neighborhood groups, heritage societies, and cultural institutions. In late winter, member clubs nominate and elect a Grand Marshal—often a distinguished civic leader, veteran, or notable emigré—and a Parade Queen, who presides over pre-parade masses and community receptions. Participants submit applications to secure positions in the marching order, which typically includes:

• Marching bands and drum corps
• Folk dance ensembles in regional costumes
• Veterans’ contingents bearing regimental colors
• School and university Polish clubs
• Religious processions and Polish-language radio floats

Local and national politicians routinely attend to show support; for instance, Robert F. Kennedy marched and attended Mass at Holy Trinity Polish Mission on May 7, 1961, solidifying the parade’s role as a bridge between Polonia and the broader civic establishment.{{Cite web|url=http://www.polamjournal.com|title=Welcome to the Polish American Journal|website=Polish American Journal|access-date=2018-05-03}}

The parade is held each year on the Saturday closest to May 3. The route begins at Buckingham Fountain on Columbus Drive, proceeds north along Michigan Avenue, turns west at Monroe Street, then follows Dearborn to the bridge over the Chicago River, where the formal program—including the Grand Marshal’s address and singing of both national anthems—takes place. Along the way, spectators line both sides of the street, festooned in Polish flags, waving copies of the May 3 Constitution text, and cheering for the marchers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/parade6.html|title=City of Chicago :: Polish Constitution Day Parade|access-date=2018-05-03}}

By the early 2000s, the parade regularly featured over 100 distinct units and drew crowds estimated between 60,000 and 140,000 spectators, making it one of the largest annual public gatherings in downtown Chicago. Around 2006, 144 marching groups participated, ranging from veteran honor guards to contemporary Polish-American civic organizations. Many families treat the parade as a multi-generational tradition, arriving early to claim spots along Dearborn and often following the procession with picnics and community fairs in local Polish parishes.

Local television and radio stations provide live coverage, with ABC7 Chicago offering both an on-site broadcast and on-demand access via its website. Polish-language radio stations and online streaming services also relay the event to listeners nationwide and abroad, allowing expatriates and viewers in Poland to share in the annual celebration.

In 1975, serial killer John Wayne Gacy was appointed parade director, a position he held through 1978. During his tenure, Gacy met First Lady Rosalynn Carter on May 6, 1978; she later inscribed a photograph “To John Gacy. Best wishes. Rosalynn Carter.” When news of his crimes emerged, the Secret Service faced embarrassment over the “S” pin Gacy had worn, indicating special clearance.{{cite book|last=Cahill|first=Tim|title=Buried Dreams: Inside the Mind of a Serial Killer|publisher=Bantam Books|year=1986|isbn=0-553-05115-6|pages=[https://archive.org/details/burieddreamsinsi00cahi/page/212 212–213]|url=https://archive.org/details/burieddreamsinsi00cahi/page/212}}{{cite book|last=Cahill|first=Tim|title=Buried Dreams: Inside the Mind of a Serial Killer|publisher=Bantam Books|year=1986|isbn=0-553-05115-6|pages=[https://archive.org/details/burieddreamsinsi00cahi/page/214 214]|url=https://archive.org/details/burieddreamsinsi00cahi/page/214}}{{cite book|last=Linedecker|first=Clifford L.|title=The Man Who Killed Boys: A True Story of Mass Murder in a Chicago Suburb|publisher=St. Martin’s Press|year=1980|isbn=0-312-51157-4|pages=[https://archive.org/details/manwhokilledboys0000line/page/142 142–143]|url=https://archive.org/details/manwhokilledboys0000line}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20131013222952/http://abclocal.go.com/wls/video?id=7419743 Parade of 2010]

Polish Constitution Day Parade

Polish Constitution Day Parade

Category:John Wayne Gacy