Another slam-bang parade in Hoffman!
The Hoffman Estates Fourth of July Festival has come to a close.
Winners of this year's parade awards are:
Float/Mayor's Cup: Hoffman Estates Arts Commission.
Youth Entry: New Generation Fancy Drill Team.
Antique Auto: 1950 Ford Rescue Squad, Dennis Klausing.
Parade Theme: Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce.
Junior marchers: Cub Scout Pack 297.
Senior Color Guard: VFW Posts 5151 & 8080.
Dance/Specialty: Twirling Twisters.
Patriotic: Betty's Play House.
Group: Gigi's Playhouse.
Unusual: "Wizard of Pawz."
Congratulations to Parade Grand Marshal Jane Davey, a longtime resident of Hoffman Estates and community spirited individual!
I would also like to give kudos to many people.
• The Commission members, whose presence throughout the festival, put on a great celebration for the village.
• Commissioner Bill Kratohvil who will be retiring from the commission after 19 years. Thank you!
• The police, fire and public works departments who are so helpful to the commissioners and guests of all the festival venues.
• The Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club, whose members come out every year for the parade giving me communications at several points throughout the parade route. They help the parade production appear seamless to the spectators with the questions, issues and change-ups being handled as they arise.
• Our parade announcer, Barb Adrianopoli, who always maintains calm as the radio communications come in about parade corrections.
• The Hoffman Estates Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association for their volunteering to help with traffic control during the parade.
• Mayor Bill McLeod, the board of trustees and Village Hall staff members for their commitment to making Hoffman Estates a neighborhood friendly community.
• And, of course, to all the participants in the parade. Without them there wouldn't be a parade!
Pete Olinger, chairman
Hoffman Estates Fourth of July Parade