Elgin’s Fourth of July parade is a toy story

Elgin residents and visitors saw some of their favorite toys come to life in the Fourth of July parade downtown.

From “Toy Story” characters Woody and Buzz Lightyear, to building blocks, to a giant Scrabble board game, floats featured dressed up characters and 3-D figures for the procession down Douglas Ave.

Tonya Hudson, executive director for the Downtown Neighbor Association, said, “We wanted something fun and something all the participants could interpret differently.”

The Downtown Neighbor Association is in charge of planning the parade.

The parade had about 85 entries including 20 floats. Downtown Neighbor Association Committee Chair Jeff Allison estimated about 15,000 people attended the Independence Day festivities. He credited summer warmth and cloudless skies for the strong turnout.

“The parade went very smoothly,” Allison said, before being interrupted by a Elgin citizen complimenting him for an entertaining parade.

“That’s always great when people tell you they like your event. It’s gratifying,” he added after the resident left.

The Downtown Neighbor Association added a few new events to the festivities to keep spectators entertained like the Kountry Pet Resort Pooch Parade, which provided pre-parade entertainment. The association also used the Elgin Fox Trot finish line stand to hold loudspeakers to broadcast commentary by Jeff Myers, host of the Elgin Comcast channel 17 program “Elgin Today,” and City Councilman John Prigge.

“It’s an honor they keep asking us back to do it,” said Myers, who has hosted the parade with Prigge for the past 15 years. “You have dogs, kids and people in costume. Where else can you have this much fun? It’s just wonderful.”

Residents can start voting for their favorite float that fit the toy theme at downtwonelgin.com. Voting begins Wednesday and ends Tuesday, July, 12. The winner will be announced July 13.

The judges gave special recognition to the Crystal Lake Strikers, a drum line, for demonstrating strong Fourth of July spirit.

Allison, in his second year as chairman, said the Strikers exemplified the kind of entertainment he wants.

“It’s not fun when you watch people just walk down the street, you want entertainment,” Allison said. “We want to expand that musical entertainment next year.”