With less than a month until Elmhurst’s 108th Memorial Day Parade, the community is preparing to once again gather in remembrance of the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country—while also marking a historic milestone for the City.
This year’s parade will feature the public debut of the Elmhurst250 Bell, a commemorative piece created to honor the 250th anniversary of the United States. Envisioned as a lasting symbol of this once-in-a-generation moment, the bell reflects Elmhurst’s commitment to recognizing both national history and the community’s place within it.
The idea for the bell originated with the City of Elmhurst’s America250 Committee, which sought to create a meaningful and visible way for the community to participate in the Semiquincentennial celebration. Engraved with the official Elmhurst250 logo, the bell will appear at major community events throughout 2026 before being permanently installed at the Elmhurst History Museum alongside a time capsule as part of the exhibition By All Accounts: The Story of Elmhurst.
A custom portable carriage and yoke were locally fabricated to allow the bell to travel throughout the community. The craftsmanship behind the structure was led by a team including community members Mark Mulliner, Nick Marquardt, Chris Thomson, Mark Martinello, and Rich Reichert.
The Elmhurst250 Bell and its carriage were made possible through the generosity of community partners and donors. Major contributions were provided by the Community Bank of Elmhurst, Elmhurst Heritage Foundation, John Noldan - Rate, Rich and Jen Reichert, the Grabowski Family, the Mulliner Family, the Shanklin Family and Stolper State Farm Insurance.
Elmhurst’s Memorial Day Parade remains one of the community’s most meaningful traditions, bringing together veterans, civic organizations, and residents in a shared moment of reflection and gratitude. This year’s parade will be led by Grand Marshal William R. Shanklin and will include a wide range of local participants.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to attend the Memorial Day Parade and be part of this special moment in Elmhurst’s history, as the community honors those who served while looking ahead to a significant national milestone.
For parade details, including route and timing, visit ExploreElmhurst.com/MemorialDay.
