Over 45 vehicles lined up, social distancing for Sun City’s Golf Cart Parade at Prairie Lodge Parking Lot. Participants were advised to stay in their cart or keep the current 6-foot social distancing requirement. Spectators who were lining up on the route were also advised to stay in your yard or keep their distances.
Preparing and decorating for the parade was also different this year. Sun City Board’s entry to the parade was decorated by Board member Marilynn Berendt and her husband, Bill. Marilynn said, “The Board members were involved in the planning but we decided to keep the number of people decorating the golf cart to a minimum, adhering to the guidelines.”
“We are using our banners from last year, all names that are listed are still serving in some capacity,” Bill said.
Sandy Deacon and her Covid-19 golf cart entry.
Management gave participants specific detailed instructions for participating in this annual event: “Reminder: Adhere to Covid-19 mandates, keep your social distance, and wear your masks; Please and thank you! During check-in, please wear your mask.”
Another change for this year: no candy was thrown for the grandkids on the sidelines due to Covid-19 concerns.
Residents decorated carts with American themes, charter club interests, a Christmas cart, and one cart donned with disinfectant, a mask covering the front, toilet paper packages on top, and social distancing signs.
Sandy Deacon said, “I decided the cart had to reflect what was going on right now. It is a lighthearted way to help cope with the stresses caused by the outbreak as the virus continues to spread.”
Dave and Eileen Arreguin dressed as Lucy and Charlie Brown, with a special touch of “Good Grief” written on Charlie’s mask and “I am always right” on Lucy’s. Eileen said, “I made Snoopy’s house out of Styrofoam and stuffed a Snoopy costume.”
The Scandinavian club had a hand-carved Viking warrior. Richard Helle, said, “It took me about a month to carve the piece.
‘Lucy and Charlie Brown’ AKA Dave and Eileen Arreguin.
I started using a chain saw and finished the details by hand-carving it.”
Derek and Genny Knight moved into Sun City in March of this year.
Genny stated, “We moved in just as the guidelines started – we only got to use the pool twice and then everything shut down. But we are happy to participate in the parade and feel part of the community.”
Community businesses participated including Huntley Police who all donned masks as they observed residents getting ready to start the parade.
