Sugar Grove anniversary needs helpers
In just a few weeks, Sugar Grove residents are going to party like it's 1957, with bandstand dance contests, poodle skirts and life-sized cutouts of James Dean.
It was on April 9 of that year that Sugar Grove became incorporated as a village and the town is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
"Celebrating Our Past, Creating Our Future" will be observed Sept. 7-8 with many events taking place at Pioneer Park.
It wouldn't be a party without a lot of help and enthusiasm and organizers are still seeking crafters and volunteers.
Kadie O'Connor is organizing the craft show scheduled for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 8 at Pioneer Park behind John Shields Elementary School.
O'Connor was tapped for the job by her fellow members of the Sugar Grove Chamber of Commerce because of her experience in craft show promotion.
She was a founding member of Country Faire Craft Promotions 15 years ago, the group that launched a successful "Sizzling Summer" craft show in Naperville.
"I'm looking for quality," O'Connor said. "If we have only 10 crafters, I'll be happy. And when I say the work must be original, I mean it."
O'Connor has encountered enthusiasm for the Sugar Grove show, but she's competing against other big craft shows in the area scheduled for the same day.
She also believes in a juried show, which means that the work will be judged and prizes awarded.
The cost to participate is $35, a bargain, says O'Connor, who wanted to keep it inexpensive for crafters.
Crafters should mail three photos of their work and a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Kadie O'Connor, 20 S. Hankes Road, Aurora, IL 60506, or call her at (630) 896-1947.
Never too many
Some say you can never be too thin or too rich.
Sugar Grove village clerk Cindy Welsch says you can never have enough volunteers.
Volunteers are still needed for the 50th anniversary celebration to help with the children's games, to fetch water and sustenance for other volunteers, and for cleanup duties on Sunday.
Welsch also welcomes historical photos for a display she is having created, and she needs help with identification of some of the folks in the photos she already has. Photos taken of scenes or events in Sugar Grove during the last 50 years are welcome.
The celebration begins at 8 p.m. Sept. 7 with the presentation of the movie "October Sky" at a mock drive-in. Guests can get there at 7 p.m. to socialize and they should bring lawn chairs and blankets.
Events on Sept. 8 include dance demonstrations and swing dance lessons, a dance contest, poodle skirt judging and music of Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and others.
For information on bringing in photos or volunteering, call Welsch at (630) 466-4507, ext. 24. To volunteer, call Jan Backus at (630) 466-4108.