Shipman Picnic Food, Events and Activities Popular with Young and Old

Linda Reed, has been one of the picnic organizers for the past 40 years, said the picnic and parade are almost a piece of Americana and the way things used to be years ago. The parade and picnic are held on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

“We have fresh fish, butterfly pork chops, pork burgers, French fries, cole slaw and home made pies and drinks, at the picnic,” she said. “It is a lot of good old-fashioned food. If you look up at the stage in the park, you will see on top of one of the boards the Shipman Kitchen Klatter Band and the date of 1952. We have a long history and it started with the Kitchen Klatter group.”

The parade contains nearby Southwestern High School band, fire fighters and police officers, community organizations and even tractors ride in the parade. Southwestern is a strong participant because it is only just a few miles away.

Those who organize the picnic and parade begin work after one ends, organizing the next one, Reed said. She said she is a transplant to Shipman, but she loves the parade.

This year’s Mrs. Illinois-United States Andrea Moore rode in the parade and receive solid attention.

Reed said without the abundance of sponsors and volunteers, the parade/picnic would not exist. She said each year the support is strong and she is thankful for all the help and financial support year in year out.