Thanks for help with electric parade
What better way to start the "official" holiday season than to see a child's wide-eyed look of wonder as a train, a pirate ship and a wing-flapping dragon took over St. Charles Main Street? Perhaps it would be to hear the squeals of delight of thousands of children as The Grinch rolled by, or to herald the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus.
In the minds and hearts of the 80-some volunteers who helped the Downtown St. Charles Partnership present the Electric Christmas Parade, it's all that … and more. It's the …
-- 10,000-plus people who lined 11 blocks of Main Street, 8-10 people deep
-- Generosity of McGrath Automotive Group, the new Title Sponsor of the Electric Christmas Parade
-- Participation and financial support of so many other just-as-valued sponsoring firms and organizations, including: Comcast, STC Capital Bank, Hotel Baker, System Sensor, McNally's Irish Pub, Wine Sergi, Old Second National, Cada Pools & Spas, Schramm Construction, Zimmerman Ford, McDowell, Inc., Minuteman Press, Kane County Chronicle, Daily Herald and Examiner, and Animal Hose, Gateway Veterinary Clinic, and St. Charles Veterinary Clinic
-- Continuing support of Mayor Don DeWitte, City Administrator Brian Townsend, and the members of St. Charles City Council … as well as the city's police and fire departments, with an especially huge thanks to the public works crews
-- Support of the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Heritage Center, St. Charles Park District, the Jaycees and the Kiwanis.
Of course, in the minds of DSCP staff (Deb Pfaff and myself), it is the incredible community spirit illustrated by the numerous committee members. They gave up time with their own families over the holiday weekend (and literally hundreds of hours before then!) to help make the event so memorable for so many more families.
Foremost among this group of stellar volunteers are Judy Jendro, Judy Hemingway, Barb Thomases, Robb Murphy, Diane DeWitte, Betsy Penny, Darlene Riebe, Mark Klodzinski, PJ Harrigan, Debby Foote and Brian Benton.
And special recognition is due Sue Doebler, event chairperson, for shepherding this event to yet another high in overall quality and appeal. And thanks to her husband, Chuck, for his patience and willingness to share Sue with the Partnership for six months.
Finally, we thank everyone who attended the free events the above-mentioned people and organizations helped make possible.
David W. Richards
Executive Director
Downtown St. Charles Partnership