Schaumburg Septemberfest brings fans back for more
Hours before the Septemberfest parade in Schaumburg passed her front yard, Judy Norkus staked out a prime seating area along Summit Drive for her friends and family. It was a testament, she says, to the popularity of the annual parade.
"I had to put chairs out there at 7 a.m.," Norkus said. "In my own driveway."
For 20 years, Judy and John Norkus have hosted a parade party at their home on the 300 block of Summit Drive, close to the parade's end. Judy Norkus dishes up egg casserole, fruit salad and doughnuts, while John Norkus keeps everyone outside entertained.
"We open up to neighbors and even people we don't know," John Norkus said. "We thought the tradition might fade out, but now everyone is bringing their grandchildren."
More than 1,000 people lined Summit Drive from Wise Road to Lock Port Lane for the festival's 40th anniversary. Parade participants included the Schaumburg Fire Department, the Boy Scouts, Mayor Al Larson and local businesses.
Children waited with bags and buckets to collect candy from passing floats and parade walkers. Parents mingled with neighbors and friends.
Although Pascale Rapp moved from Schaumburg more than a decade ago, she said she comes back to the festival and parade every year.
"I grew up in Schaumburg, but I live in St. Charles now," said Rapp, who brought her three children to the parade. "I keep coming back because I wanted to start a family tradition. On Sunday night we do the fireworks and concert. On Monday we do the parade."
While Rapp said the bagpipers from the Pipes and Drums of the Chicago Police Department and the Tall Club - for people 6-feet and taller - her two sons had only one thing on their minds: candy.
"The bags are for collecting candy," said Keegan Rapp, 11, holing up a shopping bag of Smarties, Tootsie Rolls and other treats. "I've got lots of candy."
Keegan wasn't the only one who got lots of candy. The village went through more than 20 boxes of the sweet stuff. Each box weighed about 30 pounds.