Woodstock announces a familiar name as its Pride parade grand marshal

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — He’s been a regular at Chicago’s Pride Parade for years, and this summer, Tom Skilling will be the grand marshal at a Pride parade in suburban Woodstock.

Woodstock Pride President Melissa McMahon said she showed the retired TV weatherman around Woodstock while he was visiting the city for Groundhog Day.

“Just to see how much he loved our town, I’m like ‘Well we’ve got to get you out in a different season. I’ve got another one; how about you come out for Pride Fest? See what we look like in spring, summer,’” McMahon said. “He was tickled at the invitation.”

Last year’s parade celebrating the LGBTQ community saw about 4,000 people come out because of chilly and rainy weather.

McMahon said she and other organizers hope Skilling brings good weather to the parade on June 9 and other pride events that weekend.

“The prior year, we had almost 8,000 people, so we’re prepared for 8,000 – 10,000 people,” McMahon said.

More information about the Woodstock Pride Parade can be found here .

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