News

Villa Park to celebrate Mardi Gras early with music, 'parade'

Posted January 22, 2009 10:00 pm

By Kathryn Grondin Daily Herald Staff

This sample float celebrates the community's nickname as The Garden Village. Courtesy of the Villa Park library

Forget New Orleans. Revelers can grab a mask, some bead necklaces, feathers and comfortable shoes and head to Villa Park on Sunday to celebrate Mardi Gras a little early.

The village's recreation department, along with the Villa Park Public Library and chamber of commerce, are sponsoring the first community Mardi Gras party. Festivities, which are mostly free, will run 1 to 5:30 p.m. at the Iowa Community Center, 338 N. Iowa Ave.

"It should be a great time and a good way to chase-away the winter blahs," said Jenny Casale of Villa Park Recreation. "There will be many activities for all ages during this festive event."

"Put on some feathers and a costume," adds organizer Judy Grove of the library. "It should be a lot of fun."

The family-oriented event will feature a Cajun cooking demonstration, a concert by four-piece band L'Esprit Creole, a movie about Cajun life, a Mardi Gras costume parade and competition and a mini-float contest.

The theme for the Villa Park mini-float contest is "Celebrating - Villa Park." A float can celebrate something special about Villa Park, a special event that takes place in Villa Park or a personal or family celebration in which a Villa Park resident participates.

Floats, with a shoe box as the base structure, must be brought to the event completed. They will be judged the following week and prizes will be awarded for the top creations.

A craft session for kids will be offered with a slight charge for materials. Children can make a crown, a mask or both.

Cajun food also will be for sale. Otherwise, activities and admission are free.

"The food will be great. The music will be lively. It would be great if everybody came out," Grove said.

Organizers welcome those who live outside Villa Park, too.

"It should be a great event and will hopefully bring people from outside of the village into our town so that they can see what Villa Park has to offer," said Alesia Bailey, executive director of the Villa Park chamber. Businesses in the community are decorating their store windows to add to the festive atmosphere, she said.

For details, call (630) 834-8970 or (630) 941-9133.

Submissions for the miniature float contest can depict community events like the Kiwanis summer concerts. Courtesy of Villa Park Library

Creole-Cajun fiddler Dennis Stroughmatt, along with Jennifer Stroughmatt and Rob Krumm of L'Esprit Creole, will perform at 2:30 p.m. as part of Villa Park's Mardi Gras celebration. The group performs thanks to an Illinois Arts Council grant. Courtesy of Villa Park Public Library

If you go What: Villa Park Mardi Gras celebration When: 1 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25 Where: Iowa Community Center, 338 N. Iowa Ave., Villa Park Info: (630) 834-8970

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