Join ABC 7 Eyewitness News Anchor/Reporter Alan Krashesky as he once again serves as host of "The Polish Constitution Day Parade" broadcast which aired Saturday, May 3, 11:30 PM-12:30 AM on ABC 7 Chicago. Anna Sobor, Vice Chairman, Polish Constitution Day Parade Committee, joined Krashesky in the broadcast booth to capture all the pageantry of the event. ABC 7 Chicago is the only local television station to broadcast this year's parade.
The theme for the 123rd Annual Polish Constitution Day Parade was "Saint John Paul II: Poland's Gift to the World." The theme honors the Pope's canonization to sainthood on April 27, 2014 at the Vatican in Rome, Italy. Prior to the parade, Alan Krashesky was live in Rome for ABC 7 Eyewitness News coverage of the canonization mass at St. Peter's Square.
ABC 7 Eyewitness News team members Judy Hsu, Jason Knowles, Diane Pathieu and Phil Schwarz participated in the festivities and will ride along the parade route on Columbus Drive, from Balboa to Monroe, atop the ABC 7 Chicago Float.
The Grand Marshal for the 2014 parade was Edward Mika, former president of the Alliance of Polish Clubs and longtime community activist. Mika spearheaded the renewal of the parade and was chairman for ten years. Serving as Vice Marshals for this year's parade were Dorota Malachowska, President, Board of Directors, Gift from the Heart Foundation, funding surgery for children with disabilities; and Anna Sokolowska, Vice President, Polish Roman Catholic Union and longtime volunteer in the Polish community.
Paulina Soltys,19, was the Queen of the Polish Constitution Day Parade. Anna is a student at DePaul University in Chicago and a member of the Polish Highlanders folkloric dance group "Siumni" based on Chicago's southwest side.
The Polish Constitution Day Parade is the largest Polish parade outside of Poland and celebrates the anniversary of the ratification of the Polish Constitution on May 3, 1791. For 123 years, Polonia's various community organizations have come together to organize this traditional Chicago salute to pride and tradition. An estimated 100 units will be participating in the 2014 parade.
