Fox Valley Independence Day parades
Enjoy the parades and festivals celebrating Independence Day around the Fox Valley.
Elgin
The city of Elgin's Fourth of July Parade and the Fourth of July Parade Committee recently announced its 2012 parade grand marshals will be the Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois.
To celebrate their centennial anniversary, the Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois CEO Vicki Wright will serve as the official ambassador. She will ride in a powder blue Cadillac, courtesy of Elgin resident Richard Bennett. She will be joined by an Elgin area high school student who will be receiving her Gold Award — the highest award a Girl Scout can earn for achievement in community service. Following right behind the grand marshal vehicle will be the Girl Scouts Color Guard and dozens of scouts of all ages.
“The Fourth of July Parade Committee is privileged to have these wonderful young ladies representing Elgin as our ambassadors for the 2012 Parade,” said DNA promotions coordinator Jason Pawlowski.
Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low organized the first Girl Scout troop on March 12, 1912 in Savannah, Ga. Since then, for 100 years, Girl Scouts has had the goal of building girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. Today, there are 3.2 million Girl Scouts. More than 59 million American women enjoyed Girl Scouting during their childhood and that number continues to grow.
The 2012 City of Elgin Fourth of July Parade steps off at 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 4 at Slade and Douglas avenues and ends at Highland and Douglas avenues. The theme of this year's parade is “Red, White and Food,” a celebration of Elgin's tastes and flavors.
Nearly 100 parade units are expected to participate in this summertime tradition, which typically draws more than 15,000 spectators annually to downtown Elgin. Visit www.downtownelgin.com.
The following streets in downtown will be closed to vehicle traffic from approximately 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., and vehicles parked along these streets after 6 a.m. will be towed: Kimball Street from Dundee Avenue to North Grove Avenue; Douglas Avenue from River Bluff Road to East Chicago Street; Highland Avenue from Spring Street to North Grove Avenue; and Symphony from Douglas Avenue to Spring Street.
Sleepy Hollow
The Sleepy Hollow Service Club will start its Fourth of July festival and fireworks at 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 4 with a 1-mile fun run starting at Sleepy Hollow Elementary School followed at 9 a.m. with the Bob Zdenek Memorial Fishing Derby at Lake Sharon. Come out early and get a bit of exercise and try your luck at landing that big one and claim your prize.
Refreshments open at 11:30 a.m., followed by the Bill Ritchie Memorial Parade. The parade starts at noon with the fire departments leading the parade of children on bikes, skaters, tractors, and floats around Sabatino Park. If you wish to be in the parade, meet at the Sleepy Hollow Pool, parking lot at 11:30 a.m. No registration is required. There will be trophies awarded for the best floats and the best tractor.
The festival features food, games, a dunk tank, live music performances, and other entertainment throughout the afternoon. Sign up early at the ticket booth for a chance to be in the pie-eating contest that will take place at 2:30 p.m. with trophies for the first- and second-place contestants. At 3 p.m., the winners of the raffle will be drawn. Winners need not be present. Raffle tickets are available right up to the drawing and are a tax deductible way to support the Service Club. The games close at 3 p.m. while the music and refreshment wind down around 4 p.m.
At 7 p.m., the park begins to fill with spectators waiting to enjoy one of the best fireworks displays in the area. The Service Club asks for a donation per car to help fund the event. Arrive early and enjoy the evening with friends. They will once again feature the local band Crybaby playing a blend of classic rock and original material at the Sabatino Park shelter. The band is made up of kids from the area, including three from Sleepy Hollow.
The fireworks start at about 9:15 p.m. The rain date for the fireworks will be Saturday, July 7. For details, visit www.sleepy-hollow.il.us/sc-events/.
South Elgin
The village of South Elgin invites you and your family to the annual Fourth of July Parade, with the theme, “A Hometown Tradition.” The annual Independence Day parade will recognize the veterans who have supported the nation for so many years.
The parade will step off at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 4 at the corner of West Spring Street and Wedgewood Drive. The parade will feature the South Elgin High School marching band, Medinah Motor Corps, and Fox Valley Shriners, dancers, veterans, police, fire and other local organizations. A map of the parade route is available online at www.southelgin.com.
This year's parade grand marshal is Leo Snyder, a local resident that was just appointed as Lions District 1-J Governor. Lion Leo recently was awarded the International President's Leadership Award. He has participated in many club activities and has earned 16 perfect attendance awards. He has sponsored 51 new members and was instrumental as club president in starting the first Lioness Club in Illinois to bridge over to a Lions Club in 2003. He has served on the District 1J cabinet for 10 years working through the ranks to title of Governor.
The village's sole purpose is to promote a spirit of patriotism by providing a celebration of USA's independence. Again this year, they are asking all of the parade participants as well as everyone in attendance to bring nonperishable food items and toiletry items to help fill the shelves at the South Elgin Food Pantry. So, clear out your pantry and bring your items to the parade. South Elgin Parks and Recreation will pick the items up on their float at the beginning of the parade. Let's show everyone what “community” is all about!
Sugar Grove
The Sugar Grove Community Bike Parade will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 4. Decorate your bikes, wheelchairs, strollers and wagons. The lineup will start at 12:30 p.m. at John Shields Elementary School, 85 Main St.