Lights, camera, birthday parade

Some Warrenville residents found a way to burn their Christmas lights a little longer this year.

Vehicles adorned with the festive and multicolored lights were the feature of the city's Lighted Parade on Saturday, a kickoff event for Warrenville's yearlong 175th birthday celebration.

"The biggest thing to be happy about is how well the community is doing after 175 years," Mayor Dave Brummel said. "It's important for the residents to come together because a community is all the people, not buildings."

For Celebrate 175, the city has organized a series of events throughout the year to honor the demisemiseptcentennial.

Rod and Katie Sperl planned their entire evening around the parade, four separate parties throughout downtown and the evening fireworks show. Katie was pleased to see the Tunes of Glory bagpipe and drum corps performing in the parade.

"See, this is what makes Warrenville great," she said. "Every Thursday you can hear bagpipers practicing while you're riding your bike along the Prairie Path. What other city can say that?"

The library, city hall, community building and park district's recreation center all hosted parties open to the public. Many folks were hitting all four, while others had their sights set on specific parties.

"Because I have two children with me tonight, we're going to a magic show at the library," said June Dahlstrand, a Villa Park resident whose husband works for the city. "But I got some of this great cake at city hall first."

For updates to Celebrate 175's event schedule, visit www.warrenville.il.us.