Crowds pack route for Swedish Days parade

Joe Frega saw a lot during his many years with the Geneva Police Department. But one thing he’d never witnessed before, at least not from beginning to end, is the annual Swedish Days parade.

That changed Sunday, however, when the now-retired Frega served as the parade’s grand marshal, accompanied by his son and daughter-in-law in a horse-drawn carriage.

“I’ve worked many Swedish Days with the department,” Frega said. “I’ve never actually seen the whole parade but I’m very excited to be here. It’s an honor.”

The parade concluded the 62nd annual Swedish Days, a six-day festival.

“The festival just brings people together in the community,” Frega said. “The chamber of commerce just does a great job planning all of this and have things available for everyone to do.”

Frega’s friends were out for the parade specifically to see him as the grand marshal. Paul McCurtain, a Geneva resident for 20 years, has been to Swedish Days five or six times, but came to the parade specifically to see Frega.

“We’ve been good friends and I’m very excited for him. It’s well deserved,” said McCurtain, a St. Charles police officer.

McCurtain had prime front row seats on 3rd Street. He set up his lawn chair at 7:30 a.m., along with several others awake early to reserve a spot.

“It’s such a festive atmosphere here,” he said. “Geneva is such a friendly town, it’s what I love most about it.”

The parade featured 81 groups, most from the St. Charles and Geneva area.

Tim and Sandy Klimowski, Geneva residents for 28 years, said they attend every day of Swedish Days every year.

“We love the food,” Sandy Klimowski said. “I don’t cook at all during Swedish Days week.”

But the tradition of the festival is what has the Klimowski’s coming back each year.

“Swedish Days is part of Geneva,” Sandy Klimowski said.