Trio to lead planning for Naperville’s 200th birthday

Paul Hinterlong realized he lived somewhere special when he was a “15-year-old kid.”

His hometown of Naperville was celebrating its 150th year in 1981. Volunteers and donors marked the city’s sesquicentennial by building the original section of the Naperville Riverwalk — literally brick by brick.

“That celebration brought this community together,” Hinterlong said.

And that’s now his mission as one of three volunteer organizers of Naperville’s next big birthday bash: the 200th anniversary of its founding.

The trio — Hinterlong, a 14-year city councilman, Stacey Fontechia and Atusa Freyer — will lead the planning and development of community celebrations and projects up to the bicentennial in 2031.

“That's exactly what I want to do here, 50 years later from that celebration, is to give everyone a sense of belonging, community, pride and hope for our future,” Hinterlong said.

A selection committee made up of representatives from the city, Downtown Naperville Alliance, chamber of commerce, park district and Naper Settlement interviewed candidates and selected Fontechia, Freyer and Hinterlong. The city council unanimously confirmed their appointment.

Fontechia is the sales and sponsorship manager for the Naperville Park District and will specifically serve in the role of fundraising and resources chair for the bicentennial.

An alum of Waubonsie Valley High School, Fontechia and her family call Naperville home. She also volunteers at River Woods Elementary School as the yearbook co-chair and coaches DuPage Valley Cheer.

“These roles keep me closely connected to families, kids and the heartbeat of our neighborhoods,” she told the city council.

Freyer, a lifelong Naperville resident, serves on the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce board. She helped lead Naperville Country Club's 100th anniversary festivities as senior director of marketing and member relations, a city bio noted. Freyer has been named chair of communications and marketing for the bicentennial and told the council she vows to “listen, pivot, honor and of course celebrate.”

Hinterlong has been on just about every committee you can think of, including those established for Naperville’s 175th birthday and the park district’s 40th anniversary. He also has been a board member for Naperville Healing Fields, a display of American flags across Rotary Hill, and Citizens Appreciate Public Safety.

Hinterlong will serve as the bicentennial’s history and heritage chair.