On August 24th, the Ukrainian Village Committee held its fourth annual Ukrainian Independence Day in Parma’s Ukrainian Village. As in previous years, the weather and the turnout were incredible! The parade procession began on Grantwood Drive, continued north along State Rd, and ended at the site of the Ukrainian Heritage Park. Thousands of onlookers came out to watch the parade and take part in the after-parade festivities at St. Josaphat’s astrodome!

This year’s parade also featured two new parade coordinators from the Ukrainian Village Committee – Andrea Jakubowycz and Lisa Shyjka-Shrubowich. Together, these two dedicated young women managed to organize a wonderful parade event showcasing a total of 56 marching units. The Ukrainian-American Veterans Post 24 were honored as the parade’s first Grand Marshals.

Parade participants included Ukrainian church communities, Parma area social clubs, local businesses, the mayor and city council representatives from all nine wards, city school officials, police honor guards, dog park activists, floats, and more! Spirited musical numbers were performed by the Parma, Normandy, and Holy Name high school marching bands. Atlas Transmission also decorated a flatbed that recognized the newly established sister city relationship between Parma, Ohio and Lviv, Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Village Committee thanks everyone who made this year’s parade a huge success: to each participant and everyone in the crowd; to all parade marshals; to the city of Parma and the Parma Police Department; and many other friends and volunteers whose help and support made this year’s parade such an amazing event. The Ukrainian Village Committee looks forward to an even bigger parade and celebration next year on Saturday, August 23rd, 2014 with their fifth annual Ukrainian Independence Day parade. Stay tuned!

To keep up with the latest updates and developments taking place in Parma’s Ukrainian Village, follow “Ukrainian Village In Parma Ohio” on Facebook at facebook.com/UkrainianVillage.

Source: http://www.parmaobserver.com/read/2013/10/01/parmas-ukrainian-independence-day-parade-a-success