Elk Grove Boulevard becomes Bourbon Street for Mardi Gras parade June 20
Elk Grove Boulevard will serve as the local version of Bourbon Street June 20 for the annual Elk Grove Hometown Parade, which is themed "Mardi Gras" this year.
Floats and parade entrants are sure to have that New Orleans flare, like how clowns and balloons were ever-present during last year's "Under the Big Top" theme.
And a number of popular performers are expected back along the parade route, as well as some new ones. Parade entertainers include the Navy Band Great Lakes, Elk Grove High School Marching Grenadiers Band, Chuck-A-Roo & the Fabulous Memories, Kilties Drum & Bugle Corps, Pioneer Drum & Bugle Corps, New Generation Fancy Drill Team, Nuclear Reaction Drumline, Proviso West High School Marching Band and the Sinful Saints Dixieland Band.
Blackhawks mascot Tommy Hawk and Chicago Wolves mascot Skates will also be in the parade, along with dancers, Shriners, Scouts and community groups, organizers say.
Tom, Larry and Kevin Walter, owners of Elk Grove-based Tasty Catering, will be the grand marshals, chosen because of their charitable work in the community and devotion to a positive workforce culture, said Anne Feichter, a member of the parade committee.
The parade steps off at 5 p.m. from Elk Grove Boulevard and Tonne Road, proceeding to Lions Drive at the site of RotaryFest, which also is taking place that weekend.