Elgin extends application deadline to take part in Fourth of July parade

The application deadline for the 2013 City of Elgin Fourth of July Parade has been extended. Interested participants and sponsors now have until 5 p.m. Monday, June 3, to submit their parade applications.

If you have any questions about the application process, call the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin at (847) 488-1456, or email downtownelgin@gmail.com.

If you have already registered for the parade, staging and check-in information will be emailed to all parade applicants on Tuesday, June 3.

Parade sponsorship and marketing opportunities are still available through Monday, June 3. Contact Jason Pawlowski at (847) 488-1456 or jpawlowski@downtownelgin.com for information about sponsorship.

The parade steps off at 9 a.m. July 4, beginning at the intersection of Slade and Douglas avenues, proceeds south on Douglas through the Northeast Neighborhood Association neighborhood, into downtown Elgin and finishes at the intersection of Highland and Douglas avenues.

The theme of the 2013 parade is “Elgin Marching Through Time,” a celebration of Elgin's history from its founding over 175 years ago to its bright and bold future.

This year, all parade entries — not just floats — will be encouraged to decorate their units or dress in period specific attire. Parade judges will select a winner from each of the following time periods: “Pre to 1900s,” “1900 to 1920s,” “1930 to 1940s,” “1950 to 1960s,” “1970 to 1980s,” “1990 to Present” or “The Future.”

Judges also will determine the best decorated floats in the business, children's and open categories. The public will select a “People's Choice Winner” from all of the parade participants in online voting the weekend following the Fourth of July Parade. For more information, visit downtownelgin.com.