ELGIN – Twirling batons, blasts of brass, and massive floats rolling down the street are enough to jog almost any mind back to childhood memories.
Spectators at this year’s Fourth of July Parade in Elgin may find themselves traveling farther back in time – in some cases to a time well before they were born.
It’s all part of the plan for the Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) of Elgin, which has organized this year’s parade around a “Marching Thru Time” motif. The 24 participating groups are encouraged to sport period-specific clothing and float decorations, with time periods ranging from the late 19th century on through the future.
“It’s Elgin’s signature event; it’s a summertime tradition,” Jason Pawlowski, DNA managing director, said of the parade.
Elginites celebrate the Fourth of July during Elgin’s 2012 parade. This year features a “March
Thru Time” theme with historically-minded floats and costumes. (Photo Provided)
With the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address in mind, Elgin City Council member and Abraham Lincoln impersonator John Steffen will read the famous speech dressed as Lincoln to kick off the parade.
The parade will also mark two major anniversaries in Elgin’s history. Sherman Hospital was founded on July 7, 1888 and will be celebrating its 125th year at the parade.
Sherman’s milestone is why members of the Elgin Woman’s Club were designated as grand marshals in this year’s parade. The Club was instrumental in establishing the hospital as their first project after recognizing the need for medical care in the growing town.
Judson University (formerly Judson College) will be celebrating its 50th anniversary at the parade. The Evangelical Christian school was founded in 1963 and now has an enrollment of over 1200 students.
Adding to the anniversary list is the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin itself, which is celebrating 15 years in 2013. The volunteer association seeks to enhance the downtown area through events and economic development, as well as efforts to preserve local history.
A picture of a turn-of-the-century era windmill produced by the Elgin Wind Power and Pump Co. The Elgin Area Historical Society will carry a miniature replica of a windmill built by the same company in 1922. The society accquired the windmill in 2003 and hopes to place the original windmill up again just across the street from where it first stood. (Photo Provided)
The Elgin Area Historical Society will be using the parade to draw attention to a piece of Elgin history they hope will soon be revived.
The society will carry a miniature replica of an urban windmill that once stood in town. The original windmill, built in 1922 by the Elgin Wind, Power and Pump Co., was given to the society in 2003. With the restoration work now complete, the society is in talks with the city to erect the windmill on the river at Chicago St. and Route 31 – just across the street from where it first stood.
In addition, members of the society will be wearing clothing reflective of what was worn by Elginites in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
“We like to think that the museum should have a presence in a Fourth of July parade,” Lucy Elliot, Elgin Area Historical Museum educator, said.
Parade veterans of the West Suburban Shrine Club will be present at the parade. Members drive miniature replicas of ’57 Chevys, which fit in with their 1950s – 1960s time period theme.
“They train and practice with these little cars on a regular basis, but they’ve been doing this for 11 years now, so they’ve gotten it down already,” Mindy Seelentag, secretary of the club, said.
Seelentag said the club participates in about 45 parades annually and has won several parade awards across Chicagoland.
Not all groups are representing America’s past, however. Ballet Folklorico Huehuecoyotl will demonstrate traditional Mexican folk dances set to Mariachi music from the early 1900s. Julian Hernandez, the ballet’s director, said the music comes from the central region of Mexico.
Some of the participators in the parade will offer glimpses into the future. One such group is Dance it Off with Kim, a dance and fitness studio.
The studio plans to move forward with about 10-15 dancers performing Zumba routines on a flatbed truck and on the street.
“We’re kind of gearing toward…a futuristic look with silver and black and the purple and greens in Zumba,” Esther Markwart, the studio’s events coordinator, said.
Those interested in attending the parade should arrive early – the trip through time begins at 9 a.m.
City of Elgin Fourth of July Parade
When: July 4
Parade begins at 9 a.m.
Where: Downtown Elgin (runs along Douglas Ave, starting at Slade Ave. and running south to Highland Ave.)
Cost: Free
More info: 847-488-1456
downtownelgin.com
