Longtime supporter named marshal for S. Elgin Fourth of July Parade

Submitted by Village of South Elgin

The village of South Elgin invites you to its Fourth of July Parade which will step off at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 4, at the corner of West Spring Street and Wedgewood Drive. The parade will feature the South Elgin High School marching band, Medinah Motor Corps and Fox Valley Shriners, dancers, veterans, police, fire and other local organizations. New to the parade this year are the Jesse White Tumblers. A map of the parade route is available online at www.southelgin.com.

This year’s parade grand marshal is Mike Kenyon, who has been a part of the parade from the beginning, dating back to the 1970s. He continuously supports the South Elgin Parks and Recreation Department by allowing use of local Kenyon pastures for events such as the “Spring Egg Hunt” and growing pumpkins for the fall “Pumpkin Patch.” In addition, his community involvement consists of generous donations to special events and programs, the Together We Play SEBA Park Project, as well as his time, effort and thoughts into making South Elgin a great place to live and play.

Kenyon Brothers Co. is currently owned by Mike along with his two brothers. The maintenance of approximately 2,000 acres is manned by only five employees. The South Elgin property was purchased back in 1885 by Mike’s grandfather and began with purchasing, training and selling horses. Currently, the brothers keep the farms to dairy, feed corn and soybeans.

A South Elgin resident for more than 50 years, he is currently a member of the Kane County Board and served for 10 years as the secretary-treasurer of the Kane County Farm Bureau. Kenyon and his wife have three children and two grandchildren.

Again this year, they are asking all of the parade participants as well as everyone in attendance to bring nonperishable food items and toiletry items to help fill the shelves at the South Elgin Food Pantry. So, clear out your pantry and bring your items to the parade. South Elgin Parks & Recreation will pick the items up on their float at the beginning of the parade. Let’s show everyone what “community” is all about!