Employees invited to parade celebrating midtown and its diversity

Parade details 1. Line up at 2 p.m. — UNMC contingent will begin in the 8th division of the parade. Participants should look for signs indicating the 8th division when they arrive. Use 34th Street to enter the Assembly Lot. Parking is available in Mutual of Omaha’s western most parking lot. Use 36th Street, from either Farnam or Dodge streets. 2. Wear comfortable clothing, red & white if possible. Or you can wear vintage clothing. 3. Ethnic food festival, 4:30-11 p.m. 4. Shuttle buses will return marchers to their cars, 4:30-7 p.m. Please RSVP to woneill@unmc.edu so we can have a count of participants.

It was a hot October day with temperatures in the 90s. Despite the heat, 10,000 men in black bowler hats and suit coats marched through midtown Omaha to what was called “the country.” That was where a cornerstone was being laid at Saint Cecilia Cathedral. The historic parade, 100 years ago, was one of the largest in Omaha history.

A century later, on Oct. 6, 2007, a parade along those same streets will mark the event’s centennial. UNMC employees, students, their spouses, families and friends are invited to join others from midtown Omaha’s businesses, churches and neighborhoods to march in this year’s parade.

“We thought it would be nice to celebrate in the same way when the cornerstone was laid,” said the parade’s chairwoman, Joni Fogarty.

“UNMC is proud of its midtown history,” said Bob Bartee, vice chancellor for external affairs. “We are excited to be involved in an event celebrating not only the rich history of our area but its people as well.”

The 1907 parade’s grand marshal was J.A.C. Kennedy, a prominent lawyer. Kennedy’s grandson, James Kennedy, is traveling from Maryland to serve as the 2007 parade’s grand marshal. Kennedy will bring the same silk top hat his grandfather wore when he led the parade in 1907.

The parade route spans 10 blocks from 35th and Farnam to 40th and Burt. It ends at Saint Cecilia Cathedral. A ceremony including presentations from Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey and Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy will follow the parade.

Afterwards, participants can enjoy an ethic food celebration.

“The first parade was ethnically diverse,” Fogarty said. “It brought together people from Italian, Spanish, Polish, Irish, Scottish, Lithuanian, German and French backgrounds.”

This year’s event will do the same with food representing those cultures. It also will celebrate some of Omaha’s new cultures, which include people of Latino, Nigerian, Sudanese, Togolese and Vietnamese backgrounds.

“Nothing like this has ever happened in midtown,” Fogarty said. “The people who live, worship and work, and raise their families here are anxious to show the city that midtown Omaha is alive and well.”