Chicago’s Downtown Polish Parade in 2024
May 3rd is Poland’s Fourth of July
and is the biggest Polish-American civic holiday!
Chicago celebrates with a huge, annual Polish Parade – this year
Saturday, May 4th – 11:30 am
starting at Columbus and Balbo Drives marching north to Monroe Street.
The 133rd annual Chicago Polish Constitution Day Parade celebrates the ratification of the Polish Constitution of May 3, 1791.
This Constitution is the reason there are at least ten million Polish-Americans in the United States.
The Polish Constitution was the second in world history, after our own US Constitution – which was the such written document. The Polish Constitution borrowed several important principles from the US Constitution – such as the establishment of three branches of government – legislative, executive and judicial. The Polish Constitution also extended rights to the Polish peasant class, which made up about eighty percent of the population – an especially revolutionary precedent.
Unfortunately, this magnificent Constitution was never put into practice because it was so ahead of its time that the powers of Europe immediately attacked Poland from three sides and divided the country among themselves for 123 years. Millions of Poles left their homeland to avoid these oppressive occupations. Most came to America and many of those to Chicago.
The Polish Parade is organized by the Alliance of Polish Clubs in the US in cooperation with nearly all of the Chicago area’s Polish-American organizations and institutions.
Alliance Members Marching in Parade
This year’s parade theme is: “NATO Protects and Unites,” intended to highlight the importance of Poland’s and America’s membership in NATO and the fact that the two nations have always been allies with common geo-political goals.
The Grand Marshall of this year’s parade is Bishop Andrew Wypych, retiring leader of Polish-American Catholics in the Chicago area.
Vice Marshalls are Mary Sendra Anselmo, long-time community activist, and Prof. Zbigniew Kruszewski, acclaimed political-science scholar and national community leader.
Honorary Marshall is Prof. Donald Pienkos, Polish-American historian at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, specializing in the history of Polish-American community.
The annual Friend of Polonia distinction goes to Dr. Peter Alter of the Chicago History Museum for his leadership role in organizing the major exhibit on the Polish community of Chicago, titled “Back Home: Polish Chicago.”
Queen of this year’s parade is Gabriela Ner, senior at Loyola Academy in Wilmette.
Gabriela Ner.
Previous Parade Court
Each year, the May 3rd Polish Parade is accompanied by a week-long series of Polish-themed events. This year’s events are:
Lira Ensemble “Polish & Proud” Concert
Sunday, April 28th – 3:30 p.m.
St. Francis Borgia Church – 8033 W. Addison St. Chicago, IL
Organized by the Lira Ensemble & the Alliance of Polish Clubs in the US
Tickets – $30 for adults – FREE for children/teens/college students with IDs
Tickets available at liraensemble.org
Wreath laying at the Thaddeus Kosciuszko Monument
Thursday, May 2nd – 10:15 a.m.
Solidarity Drive off DuSable Lake Shore Drive
Kosciuszko was a hero of the fight to maintain Poland’s independence and to win the independence of the United States.
Polish Flag Raising and Celebration of Polish Diaspora Day
Thursday, May 2nd – 12:00 p.m.
Daley Plaza, Chicago, IL
Polish American Police Association (PAPA) Awards Banquet
Friday, May 3nd – 6:00 pm
Allegra Banquets – 5035 N River Rd, Schiller Park, IL
Organized by Polish American Police Association (PAPA)
Details and tickets at [email protected]
Cycling in Celebration of Polish Constitution Day 2024
Friday, May 3rd, Chicago, IL
Organized by Dzika Fitness
Full information and required registration at (773) 230-8613
Pre-Parade Brunch
hosted by the Chicago Society of the Polish National Alliance
Saturday, May 4th – 8:30 a.m.
Hilton Chicago Hotel – 720 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
Organized by the Chicago Society of the Polish National Alliance
Details and required reservations at www.chicagosocietypna.org/parade-brunch
THE POLISH CONSTITUTION DAY PARADE
Saturday, May 4th – 11:30 a.m.
Columbus Drive, from Balbo Drive to Monroe Street, Chicago, IL
For more information contact Iwona Wolska; 773-992-0857 or [email protected]
FREE Chicago Chopin Foundation Constitution Day Concert
Saturday, May 4th – 2:00 p.m.
Chopin Garden in Grant Park – 11 St. and Michigan Ave.
Organized by the Chicago Chopin Foundation
Holy Mass / Prayer for Peace
Sunday, May 5th – 11:30 a.m.
St. John Brebeuf Church – 8307 N. Harlem Ave, Niles, IL
Organized by the Polish National Alliance
Polish Constitution Day Parade Lunch
Sunday, May 5th – 2:00 p.m.
Jolly Inn Banquets – 6501 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago, IL
Organized by the Alliance of Polish Clubs in the US
Reservations at Ewa Rumiński, tel. 773-742-1477 or [email protected]
Repeat of Lira Ensemble “Polish & Proud” Concert
Sunday, May 5th – 5:00 p.m.
SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish – 608 Sobieski St, Lemont, IL
Tickets – $30 for adults – FREE for children/teens/college students with IDs
Tickets available at www.liraensemble.org
More info: Polish Constitution Day Parade – polishparade.org
