Naperville group plans own Olympic bash
Naperville residents will be partying in the streets Friday when the International Olympic Committee announces the host city for the 2016 games.
The Naperville Backs the Bid group is holding a festival from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. along Chicago Avenue between Main and Washington streets. The rally will include music, dancing, raffles and specials at area shops.
"It's going to be a fun, exciting time celebrating community spirit," said Veronica Porter, who heads the group.
Those who attend also can learn a new dance, NaperDance Chicago 2016.
Funkyjazzypop, a group led by Karl Knutson, wrote an original song about the Olympic bid, then members of the Naperville North and Naperville Central high schools pom, cheerleading and dance squads jointly choreographed a line dance to it.
After teaching a handful of community members, roughly 50 people, including Mayor George Pradel, performed the dance last weekend in front of the municipal center.
Porter said the Chicago 2016 Committee took footage of the performance with them to Copenhagen to show the judges.
The final announcement of the winning host city is expected just before noon Friday. If Chicago gets the bid, Naperville's Millennium Carillon will ring in celebration.
The festivities will continue win or lose, but Porter feels confident Chicago will come through.
"It would be so much fun for us because of the fact we're loyal fans of athletic endeavors," Porter said. "It's a great city and it would be great for people to learn more about it."
Porter started the Naperville Backs the Bid Committee about five weeks ago. While no Olympic competitions are expected to take place in Naperville, she said if Chicago hosts the games it would still give the suburbs some international exposure.
"Naperville is 28 miles from Chicago with great opportunities, great shopping, great food, a great place to visit," she said.
Although the Naperville group is supported by the city and other governmental bodies, she said it has not received any money from them. The costs of the festival have been paid by Janor Sports, Wheatland Athletic Association and West Suburban Water Polo Club.
In preparation for the event, there will be no parking on Chicago Avenue between Main and Washington from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and the street will be closed from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Aurora will be celebrating the Olympic announcement as well. The Aurora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau will be watching Olympic coverage from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday at Ballydoyle's Irish Pub, 28 W. New York St.