Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois named parade grand marshals
Submitted by Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin
The city of Elgin’s Fourth of July Parade and the Fourth of July Parade Committee recently announced its 2012 parade grand marshals will be the Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois.
To celebrate their centennial anniversary, the Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois CEO Vicki Wright will serve as the official ambassador. She will ride in a powder blue Cadillac, courtesy of Elgin resident Richard Bennett. She will be joined by an Elgin area high school student who will be receiving her Gold Award — the highest award a Girl Scout can earn for achievement in community service. Following right behind the grand marshal vehicle will be the Girl Scouts Color Guard and dozens of scouts of all ages.
“The Fourth of July Parade Committee is privileged to have these wonderful young ladies representing Elgin as our ambassadors for the 2012 Parade,” said DNA promotions coordinator Jason Pawlowski.
Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low organized the first Girl Scout troop on March 12, 1912 in Savannah, Ga. Since then, for 100 years, Girl Scouts has had the goal of building girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. Today, there are 3.2 million Girl Scouts. More than 59 million American women enjoyed Girl Scouting during their childhood and that number continues to grow.
The 2012 City of Elgin Fourth of July Parade steps off at 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 4 at Slade and Douglas avenues and ends at Highland and Douglas avenues. The theme of this year’s parade is “Red, White and Food,” a celebration of Elgin’s tastes and flavors.
Nearly 100 parade units are expected to participate in this summertime tradition, which typically draws more than 15,000 spectators annually to downtown Elgin.
The 2012 City of Elgin Fourth of July Parade is presented by Sherman Health. Additional parade sponsors include Alexian Brothers Health System, Armida & Joe Dominguez, BMO Harris Bank, Danny’s Pizza, Elgin Community College, Lamp Incorporated, Payday Loan Store, Provena St. Joseph Hospital, Psychosis Haunted House, Spring Hill Gymnastics, Waste Management and Woody Buick.
If you are interested in more information on how to be part of the Downtown Neighborhood Association or would like to volunteer, call the office at (847) 488-1456 or visit www.downtownelgin.com.
Road closures: The following streets in downtown will be closed to vehicle traffic from approximately 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., and vehicles parked along these streets after 6 a.m. will be towed: Kimball Street from Dundee Avenue to North Grove Avenue; Douglas Avenue from River Bluff Road to East Chicago Street; Highland Avenue from Spring Street to North Grove Avenue; and Symphony from Douglas Avenue to Spring Street.