Before stepping down, chamber leader plans Taste of Glen Ellyn

Around town, he's called "Mr. Glen Ellyn."

You may have seen him in the front row of school events, waving from a parade, or cutting ribbons at new businesses.

"My time has always been for Glen Ellyn," Mike Formento says. "I have always felt that whatever it takes, whatever was needed, whatever time was required, I would give it to this community."

After eight years leading the Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce, Formento is stepping down as executive director later this summer. The former village president and DuPage County Board member says its time for a new face at the helm of the chamber, but Formento pledges to continue promoting the town, just as he always did as a Glen Ellyn business owner for more than four decades.

"It has been 42 years of involvement and I loved every minute of it," he said Wednesday.

When he took the reins with another co-director in 2008, Formento was supposed to steer the chamber for two or three years, but ended up staying on to help move its main offices to north Main Street and to serve members weathering the Great Recession.

But Formento won't leave the job he now holds on his own until he sees the 39th annual Taste of Glen Ellyn go off without a hitch. The unofficial start to the summer festival season returns Thursday night.

"There's really something here for everybody and every appetite," Formento said.

And as a fitting end to his tenure, Formento expects record crowds this year. The Taste generally draws 19,000 to 25,000 people over its four days, but "perfect" weather forecasts and some changes to the lineup have Formento optimistic about topping those numbers.

The village tradition will feature 16 restaurants and other food vendors (more than half are from Glen Ellyn), a weekend craft show, business expo and live music every night on an outdoor stage downtown. A carnival run by a committee of volunteers independent of the chamber opened Wednesday night and runs through Sunday at the Crescent Boulevard parking lot west of Main Street.

After a hiatus, back this year is a 5K run that will step off at Main Street and Hillside at 8 a.m. Saturday. Registration costs $35 in advance of the race, $40 the day of and $10 for kids, ages 3 to 7, who can run a shorter route at 9 a.m. Proceeds will benefit the B.R. Ryall YMCA Scholarship Fund.

Formento hasn't scheduled his last day at the chamber, but he will likely step down in the early summer to ensure a smooth transition for a new leader. He's now searching for the next "challenge."

"What I plan to do in the future is to continue to be involved in the community," he said.

If you go

What: 39th annual Taste of Glen Ellyn

When: 5 to 11 p.m. Thursday and Friday; noon until 11 p.m. Saturday; noon until 7 p.m. Sunday

Where: Main Street and Hillside Avenue

Info: Glenellynchamber.com