Story posted Thursday, June 11, 2009
Almost Time For Parade, RotaryFest
"A Star-Spangled Salute to America" will not have to wait for July 4th in Elk Grove Village, as it is the theme of the village's hometown parade this year scheduled for Saturday, June 20.
The parade happens during the same week as RotaryFest, an event that drew between 15,000 and 20,000 people last year.
Village officials planning the parade chose a unique grand marshal---any village resident serving in any one of the five branches of the United States Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines or Coast Guard).
In the event a resident cannot attend because he or she is serving, a family member can march in their place.
The parade steps off at 6 p.m. from Elk Grove Boulevard and Tonne Road, heading west on Elk Grove Boulevard and ending at Lions Drive near Elk Grove High School where RotaryFest will be in full swing. After dusk that day a fireworks display will illuminate the night sky.
Participating in this year's parade will be 80 units including the Great Lakes Navy Band, the Elk Grove High School Grenadiers Drum Line and football team, several drum and bugle groups, the Jesse White Tumbling Team and local floats from civic organizations, scouting troops and others.
Floats will be judged with awards presented at a future village board meeting by Mayor Craig Johnson.
Parade organizers estimate the cost of the parade at about $15,000 to pay for some of the featured acts.
RotaryFest runs from Wednesday, June 17 to Sunday, June 21.
In addition to carnival rides, food vendors, 10 main stage musical acts and a fireworks display, over 40 top barbeque teams have committed to participate in this year's Rib Fest, a Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned food competition held at RotaryFest on Friday and Saturday June 19 and 20.
Teams will prepare four main dishes, pork ribs, chicken, pork butt or shoulder and beef brisket for judging with $8,000 in prize money on the line.
One of those prizes is the "people's choice award." For only $5 festival-goers can sample barbeque from every participating team and vote for the best.
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