Swedish Days marks 65 years

The sun was out and the temperature in the low 80s Sunday afternoon as the Geneva Swedish Days parade kicked off along State Street.

The parade celebrated the 65th anniversary of Swedish Days, the six-day fest that unofficially kicks off summer in Geneva.

Among the paradegoers was Ruth Wit of St. Charles, who picked a shady spot along State Street to watch the festivities with her family, including her granddaughter, Ingrid Wit, 4, of Batavia.

"It's just a wonderful Americana experience, to be here with our grandchildren," Wit said. "We come here every year."

Children along the route waved American flags that were distributed just before the start of the parade. Several others flew the Swedish flag, with its yellow cross on a light-blue background, as well.

Richard Peck, the 2014 Swedish Days Parade Grand Marshal, rode in a white, horse-drawn carriage near the front of the parade.