SANDWICH – Karsta Erickson grew up in Sandwich but now lives in Indiana. On Saturday, Erickson returned home for the Fourth of July weekend to watch the Sandwich Freedom Days Parade with her husband and two sons and to spend time with her family.

The Sandwich Freedom Days Parade began at 10 a.m. Saturday, starting and ending at the Sandwich Fairgrounds and looping through downtown Sandwich. The annual parade is hosted by the Sandwich Park District in partnership with the City of Sandwich and the Sandwich Fair Association.

This year, approximately 60 units participated in the parade, including the Sandwich fire and police departments, local businesses, sports teams, nonprofit organizations and churches.

Groups participating in the parade not only walked on foot, they rode various forms of transportation: hayrack floats, monster trucks, antique cars and tractors.

Park District Director Sue Swithin said this is one of the largest parades ever held in the celebration’s more than 60-year history.

“The parade has grown significantly over the years, and we feature new and different floats and organizations every year,” Swithin said. “The parade brings the community together and kicks off the holiday weekend. It keeps everyone together for the right reason: celebrating our freedom.”

This year’s parade grand marshal was World War II veteran Charles Rapp, who saw combat in Ardennes, Rhineland and the occupation in Central Europe and received multiple honors and awards, including the Purple Heart.

The parade featured musical performances by the Sandwich High School Renegade Regiment, accompanied by the Sandwich Regiment Color Guard, and the Sandwich Middle School Jr. Regiment. The park district hired Tunes of Glory, a bagpipe and drum band from Warrenville, to march and perform in the parade.

Sandwich Mayor Rick Olson and WSPY radio personality Jim Teckenbrock were stationed halfway through the parade route and announced the parade as it passed.

During the parade, Olson and Teckenbrock announced the parade’s award-winning floats: the Best Family Award was given to the Haff Family, who participated in the parade with seven antique tractors; the Best Non-profit Award was given to Our Savior Lutheran Church, whose float featured a living nativity; the Best Business Award was given to Mid-Day Play, whose float featured dogs in patriotic outfits; and the Judges’ Choice Award was given to Knuckle Hedz Bar & Grill for its float depicting a Fourth of July barbecue and picnic.

Other Fourth of July events held in Sandwich included a pork chop and chicken barbecue catered by 5-B’s Catering Service at the Sandwich Fire Department; water fights for children and adults Saturday and a 1-mile fun run, 5K Freedom Run and fireworks Sunday.

Vietnam veteran Ed Gacek has lived in Sandwich for 40 years, and every year, his family watches the parade together from the same spot.

“The Fourth of July has special meaning to me as a veteran,” Gacek said. “My family comes to the parade every year, and this year, all our grandchildren are here. We also go to the other events in town. It’s a holiday weekend, and it’s nice to spend it with friends and family.”