Mount Prospect's plans for celebrating its 100th birthday
The Village of Mount Prospect officially turns 100 on Friday, Feb. 3, and the village's Centennial Commission and Special Events Commission are teaming up to bring residents an exciting weekend to mark the incorporation anniversary.
Feb. 3
• An assortment of downtown restaurants will offer dinner specials. Check with the Mount Prospect Chamber of Commerce for a list of participating establishments.
• Between 7:30 and 8 p.m., the public is invited to assemble at the Village Green in front of the village hall along Emerson Street, where the Mount Prospect Lions Club will provide complimentary hot chocolate and cookies in a heated tent.
• At 8:15 p.m., Mayor Arlene Juracek and the village board will formally rededicate the Village Green as "Centennial Green." Memorial markers for the four founding families of Mount Prospect will be added to the green in the autumn.
• At 8:30 p.m., a winter fireworks show synchronized to music will cap off the evening. The show is sponsored by the Centennial Commission with assistance from B & E Accounting and Busse Automotive and Car Wash.
"This will be a wonderful opportunity for all families, residents and businesses to join as a community to celebrate the 100th birthday and dedicate a lasting memorial to our heritage," Juracek said. "Fireworks synchronized to music is something we have never done before, so it will be really special and fun for the family."
In the following weeks, watch MPTV for periodic broadcasts of a re-enactment of the founding events - the incorporation vote, the election of trustees and the first trustee meeting - which will also take place in the recently-restored 1896 Central School using local residents. Due to space limitations, the live event on Feb. 3 is not open to the public.
Feb. 4
• On Saturday, Feb. 4, the Special Events Commission invites all Mount Prospect residents and families to honor the past, celebrate the present and embrace the future at the Centennial Celebration Dinner Dance featuring the Orchestra 33 Band.
Running from 6 p.m. to midnight at The Cotillion Banquets, 360 S. Creekside Drive, Palatine, it will include an open bar and a short video on the history of Mount Prospect.
Tickets are $75, $65 before Jan. 20. Purchase information is at www.mountprospect.org.