Town celebrates 7 months after tornado

GIFFORD, Ill. - Every June the eastern Illinois town of Gifford holds a community celebration.

This year the Gifford Community Celebration is a little more special than usual.

According to The News-Gazette in nearby Champaign, the festival on Saturday is one more small sign that things are getting back to normal after last November's tornado.

Gifford has about 970 residents. The Nov. 17 tornado destroyed about 70 homes and badly damaged another 40.

Kelly Carter is coordinating the event. She said there are more sponsors this year than ever. She said none of them hesitated.

Carter said some people wondered if the event would happen this year. She said this year's edition is more important than any in the past.

The event includes a 5k run, food, entertainment and other activities.