Palatine Jaycees seek participants for Fourth of July activities
The Palatine Jaycees are looking for individuals or organizations that are interested in participating in Palatine's July Fourth celebration being held Thursday, July 2 through Sunday, July 5, at Community Park on Palatine Road and Northwest Highway.
"This is the community's celebration and we want everyone involved," said Joanne Rinaldo, festival co-chairman. "We have openings in the parade and the Arts & Crafts Fair/Business & Charity Expo. Applications for all July Fourth events are available on the Jaycee Fourth of July website at hometownfest.org."
The parade, which will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 4, has openings for groups that would like to enter a float or simply march in the parade. Entries in the parade will cost $50 for charities and organizations and $100 for businesses. According to festival co-chairman Richard Lewis, "Applications will be evaluated based on theme representation, entertainment value and past participation in our parade."
"The Arts & Crafts Fair/Business & Charity Expo will have over 50 exhibits of pottery, jewelry, photography, sculptures and paintings," said Rinaldo. "As in the past, in addition to arts and crafts, we will also have a Business Expo, as well as a Charity Expo for nonprofit organizations."
The Arts & Crafts Fair/Business & Charity Expo has a limited number of booths available. Exhibitors will be assigned a 12-foot by 12-foot space on a first-come, first-served basis. An arts and crafts booth will cost $80 for both days. A Business Expo booth will cost $180 for both days and a Charity Expo booth will cost $20 to the charitable organization.
"Hometown Fest is one of the best known and attended events in the area," said Lewis. "We have a number of different sponsorship opportunities available that will get the sponsor's name in front of tens of thousands of local residents while supporting this community favorite project. If you would like to discuss becoming a sponsor, give us a call at (847) 604-0288 or email sponsorship@palatinejaycees.org."
Projects like the Fourth of July festival are just one of the ways the Jaycees give back to the community. Every year, the Palatine Jaycees conduct numerous programs to serve the community and accumulate funds for operation of the chapter and community donations. Included in these projects are Christmas tree sales, leadership scholarships, Best Pizza Contest and others, which benefit the community directly and help raise money.
The Palatine Chapter of the Jaycees, one of 60 local chapters throughout Illinois, has close to 100 members and is one of the largest chapters in Illinois. The Jaycees provide individuals between the age of 21 and 40 the opportunity to develop personal and leadership skills while serving their community.
The Palatine Chapter holds its monthly general meeting on the third Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the American Legion Hall on Palatine Road in Palatine. For further information on the Palatine Jaycees, membership or any of their sponsored events visit palatinejaycees.org, email info@palatinejaycees.org or call (847) 604-0288.