Founders' Days parade draws large crowds

Algonquin's Founders' Days parade drew large crowds of families and children - with candy-collecting bags in hand - along routes 62 and 31 on Saturday morning.

Eighty entries marched in the annual parade, including groups such as the Lions Club and Boys Scouts, as well as local businesses and politicians.

Ethan Fiedler, 7, of Algonquin, who won the bike decorating contest, pedaled along, showing off his bike, decorated in '80s day-glow colors and with a hand-drawn boombox on the front.

The parade's grand marshal, Pamela Perrott of Algonquin, said she has been heavily involved in the community since moving to the town 30 years ago. She currently is the president of the Algonquin Lioness Club, where she's been a member for the past 17 years. She also volunteers at Founders' Days every year.

"I'm really excited. It's a big honor," she said, of being chosen to lead the parade this year.

Algonquin neighbors Rita Conklin and Dennis Lederer, who live near the parade route, joined about 60 other neighbors to watch. Conklin said she has attended for 26 years and enjoys the "whole town getting together and having a great time."

"It's a great parade; it's one of the best parades I've ever seen," added Lederer, a parade goer for the past 31 years. "It's a great tradition they have here; it really is."