Last Fling organizer gives the inside scoop on festival
2-minute drill
A quick chat with a Naperville newsmaker
As summer draws to an end, Naperville's Last Fling savors summertime fun and in what better way than a lengthy parade that extends across a generous section of the community to provide enough curbside viewing for thousands. With 94 entries, organizers estimate the parade will last about 90 minutes. This year's parade theme is "Our Wonderful World of Sports."
Kent Christianson is president of the Naperville Jaycees and on the Last Fling executive committee. The non-profit service organization hosts the annual Labor Day weekend festivities that run Friday afternoon through Monday evening.
Q. How early do people secure a curbside seat for the parade?
A. I use to live on Main Street and people get out there early. I wouldn't be surprised if some were out there at 7 a.m. to put out their chairs and then grab a coffee at one of the shops in town. This year, we are running the Fling Mile right before the parade at 9:30 a.m., so people can watch the runners as well as holding a place for the parade.
Q. What is new this year?
A. We will have none other than Florence Henderson singing our National Anthem to kick off the parade at 9:50 a.m. at the corner of Jefferson and Webster at our reviewing stand. We then will take her to the parade start so she can be in the parade. Steve Hyett will announce all the floats from the reviewing stand for NC17.
Q. How did the committee choose its grand marshal for the parade?
A. We looked at who represented Naperville and the "Wonderful World of Sports" which is our theme. Someone who has coached a great number of great Naperville athletes is Al Carius, who has been at North Central College for 38 years. He was a natural fit and the committee is excited to have him. He is a legend. He is by far the single best track and cross country coach in the nation.
Q. How far ahead do you have to start securing groups for the parade?
A. We started last November and December, and a lot of letters go out in March. However, we really do not know if some of the significant dignitaries confirm until this week.
Q. How many musical groups will you have and do you need to space them?
A. We have the area high schools including Naperville North, Naperville Central, Benet Academy, Waubonsee Valley and Neuqua Valley as well as the Naperville Municipal Band and the North Central College Pep Band. We definitely properly space them to time their entertainment value.
Q. What have you learned by trial-and-error about organizing a parade?
A. Well, we know that throwing hard candy can hurt people. We had to mandate not to throw anything from the floats. We also found out that animal groups need to follow-up with their own pick-up crew. Tumbling groups need to be highlighted but not to stop the parade with their demonstrations.
Q. What is one of the more unusual components in the parade?
A. We annually have our bucket chasers. Those are our Rooster Jaycees we call "e-duc," which is an exhausted director. These are the past presidents and others who have run the Last Fling. They are out rallying the troops for donations. We take all the money we raise and give it to worthy causes in the community and the surrounding area.
Q. How many members does the Naperville Jaycees have and what percentage needs to work on the Last Fling?
A. We have a committee of eight for this activity working very hard for the better part of a year. Our active membership is 157 Jaycees in the age range of 21 to 40. Our roosters, which is the unique name given to members over the age of 40, provide volunteer help and mentorship to the younger Jaycees. In the Roosters, we have an organization of 250. We tap into everyone's help for this our biggest fundraising festival.
Q. How would you sell the Naperville Jaycees to a prospective member?
A. The Jaycees is an outstanding nonprofit organization that develops people through community service. You learn the skills to put on an event and see it through its conclusion. It is a chance to learn about Naperville, meet new people and make contacts. I have been with the Jaycees 10 years and have made some great friends for life.
Q. Will you be riding in the parade?
A. As president of the Naperville Jaycees, I will be in a convertible up toward the front of the parade. I am excited about it.
-- Joan Broz
If you go
What: Naperville Jaycees' Last Fling Labor Day Parade
When: 10 a.m. Monday
Where: On Mill Street from Fifth Avenue south to Jefferson Avenue; east to Main Street, south to Porter and west into the Naperville Central High School campus
Info: lastfling.org or (630) 961-4143