Elburn family loves a parade, and a ritual

David and Grace Dredge are making an understatement when they say watching the Elburn Days parade is a "family tradition."

It's more like a ritual.

Every year, Grace sneaks downtown in the early afternoon to stake out the same slab of concrete her family has used as its parade perch for about two decades (she's lost count).

By 6 p.m., when the parade steps off, Grace and a dozen or more relatives have lined the Main Street sidewalk -- four people deep in some areas -- in front of the Sears Appliances store, formerly owned by her family.

There's usually beer, folding chairs and a pizza-to-go from whatever establishment happens to be occupying the building across the street.

"There ought to be a big star here for us," Grace said, sweeping her hand over the sidewalk Friday as the 78th annual parade marched by.

For folks such as the Dredges, the 90-minute event offered few surprises this year. But that allowed them to sit back, relax and enjoy the same sights and sounds they crave each summer.

Hundreds of families whooped and hollered as clowns tossed candy, politicians marched, and Shriners cruised in circles atop scooters, go-karts and motorized coolers. There were marching bands, hot rods and even a Jewel-Osco shopping cart that stood as tall as some of the Main Street businesses.

Back at the Dredge camp, David pointed out these sights, as well as the bandstand and parade starting line as reason enough to come back to the same spot year after year. "It's all about proximity," he said.

Grace Dredge's cousin, Sheila Gee of Elburn, said there's a lot of responsibility in nabbing the sacred spot.

So what if someone else got there first?

"That doesn't happen," Gee said, motioning to Grace. "She gets here too early."

The festivities continue 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. today and 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday at Lions Park, off Stetzer Avenue, and downtown Elburn. There will be live entertainment, tractor pulls, livestock shows, crafts, food and a carnival, among other features.