Arlington Park to celebrate 100th Scouting anniversary
With thousands of supporters lining Arlington Park's grandstand as the backdrop, the Northwest Suburban Council for Boy Scouts of America will celebrate the Fourth of July with a day-long celebration Sunday honoring the 100th anniversary of Scouting.
For the scouting families involved in more than 30 suburban communities, the celebration represents the largest NWSC event since a massive Camp-O-Rama in 1993.
Along with a parade, nearly 20 special exhibits and video tributes, the NWSC will be honored with the presence of U.S. Army Retired Sgt. 1st Class Sammy Davis, a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and the key speaker for the day.
More than 400 Scouts, representing Cub packs, Boy Scout troops, Venturing crews and Aquila troops from across the suburbs will take part in the day's events at Arlington.
The park will open its gates at 11:15 a.m., and a parade of Scouts will begin at noon, with remarks from Sgt. Davis about 12:30 p.m. The parade will traverse the homestretch of the racecourse and conclude in the Winner's Circle.
Throughout the afternoon, nearly 20 outdoor activities will be showcased, including an Army display with Humvees, a dog-tag machine, a rope bridge, leather craft and wood-carving booths, a rain-gutter regatta, robotics and First Aid demonstrations, as well as log sawing, physical fitness challenge, rock climbing among other events.
In addition, the International Room at Arlington Park (fourth floor) will host the NWSC Pinewood Derby Championship race with more than 120 Cub Scout s.
A "Mayor's Pinewood Derby Challenge" race will take place in the picnic area, where the track also offers pony rides and a petting zoo.
Also participating in the opening ceremonies wil be Paul Meincke, a Scouter and WLS-TV reporter, who will introduce NWSC Council Executive Steve Taylor.
During racing intermissions, the NWSC will feature its newest Scout video, a live interview with Sammy Davis in the Paddock Circle, and showcase some "ceremonial" advancements with Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. The Winner's Circle will also be the setting for trophies given to the Pinewood Derby champions.
Davis received the Medal of Honor for his heroic service under fire during the Vietnam War. Davis, 63, was a Private First Class in the 9th Infantry Division when he received the Medal of Honor from President Lyndon Johnson. Film footage of LBJ putting the medal around Davis's neck appeared in the movie "Forrest Gump" (with Tom Hanks' head substituted for Davis).
On Saturday, Arlington Park will host its annual "Racing, Music and Fireworks" festivities, featuring the longest and largest fireworks display in Arlington Park's history.
The day's racing starts at a special twilight post time of 4 p.m. and the racing action - which features the $100,000 Arlington Oaks - will lead into a fireworks display that gets under way at nightfall. In addition, there will be live music on the band stage.
The fireworks display, which will run more than 30 minutes, will be synchronized to patriotic and popular music.
On Monday, the track continues its weekend festivities with racing at 1 p.m., Family Day activities in the Park area plus live music by A Kangaroo Court.
What: Parade and festivities honoring 100th anniversary of Boy Scouts and involving about 400 members of the Northwest Suburban Council's Cub packs, Boy Scout troops, Venturing crews and Quila troops.
If you goWhere: Arlington Park, Euclid Avenue and Wilke Road, Arlington HeightsTickets : Available at arlingtonpark.com. General admission is $6 online when purchased in advance or $8 at the door.Schedule11:30 a.m.: Arlington Park opensNoon: Scouting parade to Winner's Circle, with presentation of flags and National AnthemKey speaker: U. S. Army Retired Sgt. 1st Class Sammy Davis, a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and Vietnam War veteran who also earned a Silver Star and two Purple Hearts.Opening race: 1 p.m.,Day-long activities:bull; Mayor's Pinewood Derby Challengebull; Pinewood Derby Championship Race with 120 Cub Scouts. bull; Army display with Humvees and a dog tag making machine, rope bridge, signal tower, leather craft and wood carving booths, radio and podcasting displays, rain-gutter regatta, robotics and First Aid demonstrations, log sawing, rubber band zip gun range, science and GPS demonstration, Civil War era re-enactment booth.bull; Arlington Park's petting zoo and pony rides.On the Web: Story and description of Medal of Honor recipient Sammy L. Davis at www.military.com/NewContent/0,13190,MoH Sammy Davis,00.html