Elk Grove's Hometown Parade, at new time this year, will step off Saturday

Elk Grove Village's Hometown Parade, held in conjunction for the first time with the village's Oktoberfest, is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday.

The parade previously had been held in June at the same time as RotaryFest. Organizers moved the parade date to Sept. 21 this year while keeping the same theme: Music Through the Ages.

The Grand Marshal is Kitty Vanderweel Weiner, a longtime Elk Grove resident who spearheaded the fundraising campaign that raised $185,000 to install an elevator in Elk Grove VFW Post 9284. Weiner is also involved in the Rotary Club, Community Character Coalition, is a member of the plan commission, and works for Entertainment Management Group, the firm that books the village's summer concert series.

The Elk Grove Food Pantry will collect nonperishable canned goods along the parade route, which is on Elk Grove Boulevard from Tonne Road to Lions Drive.