Septemberfest parade winners should be proud
Congratulations to all who participated in Monday's Mardi Gras-themed Septemberfest parade in Schaumburg, especially the winners in various categories.
In the interest of full disclosure, I should mention I was among the four parade judges at this year's event. But the winners should be seen as the result of all our voting, not necessarily my own opinion.
The most contested category is that of amateur float. This year's winner was Cub Scout Pack 195, with an unusual but theme-inspired depiction of a life-size Spider-Man making his way along Bourbon and Canal streets in the heart of New Orleans.
The antique auto category went to Sinful Saints, with its Mardi Gras band playing and throwing beads to the crowd from atop a 1950s Warrenville fire engine.
The specialty vehicle award went to Carolyn Grurnek for a homemade fire truck and train that made its way along Summit Drive under manpower.
Many of the commercial/professional floats seem as if they're much the same in every parade they go to, but Jewel's entry, including characters like Twinkie the Kid and an anthropomorphic loaf of Wonder Bread, did pay tribute to Mardi Gras.
The professional clown award went to Chuck-A-Roo, a literal band of greasepainted clowns rocking out to their own rendition of "Play that Funky Music, White Boy" from the top of a truck.
Other winners, for obvious reasons, did not necessarily reflect the Mardi Gras theme, but were judged the best of their categories.
Schaumburg High School won for high school marching band, Ukrainian American Vets for junior/senior color guard, Grupo Folklorico Quetzal for dance group, Medieval Times for non-musical marching and the Emerald Society Bagpipes for adult marching band.
See everyone next year!
International Festival:ŒThe Schaumburg Park District's new International Festival will be a place to celebrate diversity from noon to 3 p.m. Sept. 22 at the Bock Center, 1223 W. Sharon Lane, Schaumburg.
Attendees can explore the world without even leaving Schaumburg through a variety of ethnic music, dance, games, entertainment, crafts and cultural displays.
The free event is aimed at promoting greater understanding between residents of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
Refreshments will be available for purchase. For more information, call (847) 490-7015 or visit the Web site www.parkfun.com.
Theater audition: The Schaumburg Park District's Cultural Arts Studio will hold auditions for "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Community Recreation Center, 505 N. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg.
Parts are available for about 20 adults or teens and 15 children ages 8 to 12. Practices will be two to three times a week through Nov. 19. Show dates are Nov. 23 to 25 and Dec. 1 and 2. There is a $50 fee for those cast in the show.
For more information, call (847) 490-7020.