‘You have the whole community out’: Crystal Lake residents gather to enjoy parade, July 4 festivities

As 7-year-old Sirrae Johnson watched horses trot along the streets of Crystal Lake, her eyes grew wide, lighting up with excitement.

“This is the best parade ever,” she said to her mom, Rachel Johnson, of Crystal Lake.

Like others gathered around Crystal Lake Sunday, Sirrae was happy to watch this year’s Independence Day parade.

“We have been locked up, kind of, for COVID,” Rachel Johnson said. “So we wanted to get out here with the community and just have a little fun.”

Usually, the mother and daughter go to the parade every year. But last year, that wasn’t an option, as both the city’s annual Independence Day and Festival of Lights parades were canceled last year as the highly infectious COVID-19 prevented large gatherings and activities.

“It was very disappointing,” Rachel Johnson said. “She obviously wanted to be here.”

However, with the state now in Phase 5, which is the last stage of its reopening plan, these parades – and other Fourth of July festivities – can happen again.

Sirrae was “super excited” when she learned there would be a parade again, Rachel Johnson said.

While Sirrae enjoyed the horses, the red-, white- and blue-decorated floats, and, of course, the candy that came with the parade, her favorite part was a large, colorful crayon box the Crystal Lake Public Library had on its float, complete with giant crayons on the side.

After the parade, the Johnsons planned to spend the rest of the day back home and have some long-awaited time with relatives.

“We’re going to have some family over and just grill, barbecue,” Rachel Johnson said.

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Crystal Lake Annual Independence Day Parade Members of the Sunburst Corvette Club show off their cars during the Crystal Lake Annual Independence Day Parade on Sunday, July 4, 2021, along Dole Avenue in downtown Crystal Lake. (Ryan Rayburn for Shaw Local/Ryan Rayburn for Shaw Local)

It’s been probably a full year, since she’s seen some of these people, she said. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she kept groups and any type of gatherings really small, and sometimes, virtual.

“We wanted to be safe until people were vaccinated,” Rachel Johnson said.

So seeing her family was emotional, she said.

“You just miss so much,” she said. “You feel just overwhelmed with happiness; it was taken away from you. But now it’s back ... and you want that for your kids. You want them to experience everything you experience.”

Crystal Lake resident David Rios was also enjoying some time with his family, including his 9-month-old granddaughter Rosalia, who was seeing her first parade ever.

“You have the whole community [out],” Rios said. “It’s nice to see everybody out and about.”

A lot of people made a lot of sacrifices for this country, Rios said, making the holiday even more meaningful for him.

Mari Gonzalez came all the way from North Dallas, Texas, to visit her sister. She also was able to watch her niece participate in the parade as a part of her school’s Junior Honor Society.

With a brother in the Marines, Gonzalez said she celebrates Independence Day in part to show her support for him.

For Joshua Thompson, also of Crystal Lake, July 4 also is a meaningful time for him, as he likes to celebrate America’s “freedom and safety.”

“You don’t have to worry about people bothering you, picking on you,” he said.

Sitting under a shady tree, Thompson said he was also looking forward to listening to live music as a part of Crystal Lake’s Lakeside Festival, which returned this year on the grounds of the Dole. The annual festival also includes a carnival.

“We want to go to the lake, go swimming, hear some good music and fireworks,” Thompson said Sunday afternoon. “We got here about an hour ago. ... We’re going to be here probably all the way until 10 o’clock tonight.”