Elgin residents and surrounding towns are invited to celebrate Independence Day with the annual Elgin 4th of July Parade on Wednesday, July 4. The event will step off promptly at 9:00 a.m. in the northeast neighborhood of Elgin’s historic district on Slade Street and Douglas Avenue with the Parade heading south on Douglas, and dispersing at Highland Avenue in beautiful downtown Elgin. The Parade is co-sponsored by the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin and the City of Elgin.
Jeorge Holmes, Senior Pastor of Highland Fellowship Church in Elgin will perform a vocal presentation of “The Star Spangled Banner.” The song will kick off the Parade at 9:00 a.m. and will be performed near the Centre between Kimball and Symphony Way.
The event will feature over 115 groups with many competing in the annual float contest. Both local and Chicago area performers will be the featured entertainment, including the Jesse White Tumbling Team, Chinese Cultural Center Lions, several marching bands, including Larkin, Elgin, South Elgin, Streamwood High School, and the South Shore Drill Team, along with much more entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. More than 15,000 spectators are expected to attend. In addition, active and past military personnel will have a significant presence in the Parade, with the recognition of local Elgin veterans and military personnel.
The 2007 Parade will feature as Grand Marshals, Elgin residents Jack and Marlene Shales. The Shales were among those nominated for the distinguished position for their life long dedication of philanthropic service to the Elgin community. Mr. Shales is President of Shales McNutt Construction in Elgin. He served in Korea as a Marine Corps. Sergeant, from 1951-1954 and has received many professional and public service honors for his civic and community involvement in over 13 different organizations including the Greater Elgin Area YMCA, Judson College, United Way of Elgin, Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce, Salvation Army of Elgin and the Jayne Shover Easter Seal Association, to name a few. Marlene Shales’ community activities have also included over 20 different organizations including serving as an Elgin City Council member from 1983-1990, Altrusa International Club of Elgin, Gail Borden Public Library Foundation Board, Elgin Day Care Center Board, League of Women Voters, Senior Services Associates Board, and many more. She has also received several awards for her Humanitarian service to the community. The Shales have been married for 52 years.
Free parking is available at all municipal parking lots and decks throughout the Center City area, and on side streets east of the Parade Route. The Parade Route is also conveniently accessible by bike from the Fox River Bike Trail, Metra train or PACE bus to downtown Elgin.
Free shuttle service for senior citizens will again be available through Senior Services Associates, downtown Elgin. For more information on shuttle schedule and pick up and drop off locations, call Senior Services Associates at (847) 975-7160.
The event’s main sponsors include Sherman Health, MidAmerica Bank, Pulte Homes, and Elgin Toyota. For more information on the Parade, contact the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin (847) 488-1456 or go to www.downtownelgin.org