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Swedish Days parade highlights community spirit in Geneva

Libby and Troy Gower's home in Geneva has become a gathering spot for the annual Swedish Days Grand Parade.

Having lived along the parade route for decades, the Gowers welcome friends, relatives and neighbors each year to visit with one another and watch as the floats, cars, marching bands and other parade participants pass by.

With a bags game and a table full of food and drinks set out, this year was no different. “It's a tradition. Once you do it once, you don't stop,” Troy Gower said. “It's just a fun time for everyone, it really is. And it gets the neighborhood together, too.”

Gatherings like the one at the Gower house are a common sight during the parade, which highlighted the final day of the 67th annual Swedish Days Festival. This year's parade featured more than 100 entries, said Laura Rush, Geneva Chamber of Commerce communications manager. Of the roughly 200,000 people who attend the festival from Tuesday to Sunday, about 45,000 make an appearance for the parade alone, she said.

“It's a great way to cap off the end of our six-day festival,” Rush said. “We want people to come back year after year or discover Geneva for the first time.”

Among the first timers were Georgi and Steve Amundson and their sons, Ben, 7, and Sam, 4. For the Naperville residents who moved from Austria two years ago, the event offered a small taste of home.

“I love Geneva,” Georgi Amundson said. “This little photos by town kind of reminds us of the little towns in Europe. We're always looking for something like this to enjoy.”

Throughout the week, local businesses and nonprofit organizations display booths, show off their products and sell food and beverages. Visitors enjoy live entertainment, sample craft beer, ride carnival rides and participate in various activities: a Geneva's Got Talent event, a new 5K run, children's activities and an ice cream eating contest.

By not allowing food trucks or other outside vendors, Rush said, the festival and parade serves as a way to support local restaurants, shops and other Geneva businesses.

“We want this to be a stellar week for them,” Rush said. “The community really embraces it, the businesses embrace it. It's what Geneva is kind of known for.”

  Geneva Boy and Cub Scouts carry a huge American flag in the annual Swedish Days Grand Parade Sunday in Geneva. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
  Geneva American Legion Post 75 heads up the annual Swedish Days Grand Parade Sunday in Geneva. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
  The Proviso West Roaring Thunder Marching Band performs Sunday in the annual Swedish Days Grand Parade in Geneva. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
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