Jaycees Seek Participants for 4th of July Parade and Expo
Palatine's Hometown Fest is in it's 66th year and Parade and Expo applications are now open through the Palatine Jaycees' website at www.hometownfest.org.
The Jaycees are looking for local organizations, crafters, artists, nonprofits, and businesses to participate in both events.
The parade will be held on Saturday, July 1 at 11 AM, kicking off at Cedar & Slade headed through downtown. There are opportunities for groups who would like to enter a float/vehicle or simply march. Parade entries will cost $75 for nonprofits and organizations and $125 for businesses. The parade will be filmed and judged in several categories.
Hometown Fest's Arts and Crafts, Business and Charity Expo runs Saturday, July 1 - Sunday, July 2, 2023 in Community Park by Palatine Road and Northwest Highway. Registered exhibitors will be assigned a 12' X 12' space on a first come, first serve basis. Arts and crafts booths cost $125, business booths cost $200, and nonprofit booths cost $20. The Jaycees will be available to help vendors load and transport items, during both set-up and tear down.
Since 1957, the Palatine Jaycees have proudly partnered with the village and park district to host Hometown Fest, Palatine's Fourth of July Celebration. The festival includes fireworks, entertainment, food vendors, a parade, a carnival, a business expo and craft fair, and many other family activities. Hometown Fest is one of the best known and attended events in the area. The Expo draws in over 60 exhibits annually and the parade is attended by thousands from Palatine and the surrounding communities.
The mission of the Palatine Jaycees is to provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change. The chapter has more than 100 members and is one of the largest of the chapters in Illinois. The Jaycees give individuals ages 21 to 40 the opportunities to develop personal and leadership skills while serving their communities. The members volunteer their time to organize and run this Fest each year. Proceeds from Hometown Fest benefit Palatine by funding community projects, community grants, high school scholarships, and much more.
The Palatine Jaycees currently hold their monthly general meeting on the third Thursday of the month at 7:30 pm at Arlington Lanes in Arlington Heights. For further information on the Palatine Jaycees, membership or any of their sponsored events visit www.palatinejaycees.org, or email info@palatinejaycees.org.