Elk Grove Village Hometown Parade celebrated first responders
Elk Grove Village hosted its annual Hometown Parade with the theme "Celebrating First Responders" on Saturday, Sept. 16. The 2023 Hometown Parade route commenced at the intersection of Elk Grove Boulevard and Tonne Road and concluded at Elk Grove High School.
This year, over 60 local organizations, mascots and bands marched down Elk Grove Boulevard to participate in the Hometown Parade. Kicking off the parade were six Grand Thunder Percheron horses escorting the Grand Marshals, who are all first responders from Elk Grove Village. Representing the Elk Grove Village Police, Fire and Public Works departments were Police Officer Russell Sullivan, Firefighters Luke Titre and Bob Denna, and longtime Elk Grove Village resident and Public Works maintenance worker Todd Gore.
The parade also included a plethora of community civic groups such as Elk Grove Village Park District and Public Library, the Lions Club, youth athletic teams and scout troops. Other noteworthy entries included the Dundee Scottish Pipe Band, Chicago Bears' mascot Staley Da Bear, the Celebration Brass Band, and The Patriots - a home school band based out of the Western suburbs of Chicago.
A jumbo-sized Curious George parade float was a crowd favorite. Curious George was filled with 3,500 cubic feet of helium and was raised 50 feet in the air with the support of 28 volunteers.
The village of Elk Grove extends its gratitude for generous support from 73 local Elk Grove businesses, a candy donation from Jewel-Osco in Elk Grove Village, and a donation of mini marshmallows from Doumak, Inc., that helped make this year's Hometown Parade possible.
"Thank you to all community members and Elk Grove Village businesses who attended and supported this year's Hometown Parade," said Mayor Craig B. Johnson. "On behalf of the community, I extend my gratitude to the volunteers and staff that made this year's Hometown Parade one to remember."
The village hopes that all who attended enjoyed the parade. Visit the village website at www.elkgrove.org for information on upcoming special events.