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Marching bands set the beat for Buffalo Grove Days Parade

Music was in the air and children clapped and danced while marching bands from Stevenson and Buffalo Grove high schools led Sunday's Buffalo Grove Days Parade.

Former band directors Jeff Slepak of Stevenson High School and Ed Jacobi of Buffalo Grove High School were co-grand marshals for this year's 32nd annual parade along Bernard Drive.

Jacobi has participated in every parade since its inception, parade chairman Rodney Odelson said. Odelson added that 10,000 people were expected to watch the 85 units in this year's parade.

"I am very, very honored. I've marched in this parade for 31 years with the band and I'm so honored to be in this position," said Jacobi, who retired as Buffalo Grove Bison Pride Marching Band's director in June. "It's kind of a career capper for me."

Slepak, the former director of the Stevenson High School Marching Patriots Band, said his role in the parade was a great honor.

"I love it. This is my 24th parade. It may be the biggest honor personally but I always love doing it with the kids playing," he said.

Buffalo Grove resident Ivy Elkins said her family has watched the parade for 13 years and one of her sons marched in Sunday's parade with the Stevenson band.

"It is really cool," Elkins said.

Buffalo Grove Days continues Monday at its new home at the village's largest park, Mike Rylko Community Park, 951 McHenry Road.

Check out the food tent and carnival rides. There will be a variety of walk-around entertainers, including stilt walkers, clowns, sports mascots, balloon artists and Disney characters. And, keep an eye out for Darth Vader, Chewbacca, a Storm Trooper and Rey, who will visit the festival grounds Monday afternoon.

  Buffalo Grove resident Kim Miller holds her son, Brady, 2, as they clap for the Stevenson High School Marching Patriots during Sunday's Buffalo Grove Days Parade along Bernard Drive. Former band directors Jeff Slepak of Stevenson High School and Ed Jacobi of Buffalo Grove High School were co-grand marshals for the parade. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
  Tim Beckmann, left, pretends to be a jellyfish as he walks with the Buffalo Grove Park District float during Sunday's Buffalo Grove Days Parade. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
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