|
The planning has been going on since March, and the volunteers of the Vernon Hills Fourth of July Parade Committee will be up bright and early setting up for the 2008 Fourth of July Celebrations. The parade site will be bustling with activity as the marching bands, floats, clowns, costumed characters, local merchants, school groups, pageant winners, civic leaders and organizations pull out all the stops for another of Vernon Hills’ spectacular Fourth of July affairs.
This year’s parade will play host to three of the Drum & Bugle Corps International Division 1 Top 5 Competition Winners: The Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps and the Colts & Cadets Drum and Bugle Corp. The parade Committee is excited to have such young talent grace the parade route. These young folks, their parents and volunteers spend their summers touring in the United Sates participating in competitions, parades, and community events from New Jersey to Pasadena California for the DCI Championships in August. They live on the busses, sleep on gym floors, travel with a cook bus and eat snack lunches; and the love every minute of it. For the past couple years District 73 and the Vernon Hills Park District has opened their doors to these kids and let them set up in their facilities over the July 4th Holiday so they a can participate in our Parade – A HUGE thank you to District 73 and the Park District!!
The Lawn Chair Dad’s, the Blooz Brothers, costumed characters, stilt walkers and the unicyclist will return this year so come early and mark out your parkway spot!!
The celebrations get under way at 8:00 am at the corner of Deerpath and Atrium Blvd, when youngsters ages 4-12 adorn their bikes, scooters and wagons with banners, flags and other creative ideas for the Bike Decorating Contest. The first place winners will receive a certificate for a day at the Vernon Hills Park District Aquatic Center. There will be two first place winners and 2nd place winners. All participants entering the contest will receive a ribbon and a gift certificate. Contestants are invited to ride in the parade as long as accompanied by an adult. The Lions Club has graciously volunteered to be the judges for the bike contest.
For their dedication and devotion to the Village of Vernon Hill, we will honor our Vernon Hills High School Valedictorian and Salutatorian as our Honored Guests.
The parade steps off at 9:00 A.M. at the corner of Deerpath and Atrium Drive, just south of Highway 60 (Town Line Road). Marching units will follow a parade route south to Sullivan Drive and then west to Aspen, with a final destination will be the Hawthorn South Elementary School. Demonstration areas will be marked along the route for your viewing pleasure. Applications to participate in the parade are available at the Vernon Hills Village Hall, 290 Evergreen Drive or at www.vernonhills.org\events.
While the celebrations break after the parade so families can enjoy planned activities, hundreds are expects to gather at Century Park for from 6:30 to 9:30 PM for the rhythmic sounds of J.P and the Cats and an enchanting evening in the park. At approximately 9:30 PM Honorable Mayor Roger Byrne will set the skies over Big Bear and Little Bear Lake ablaze with color as Melrose Pyrotechnics, Inc presents a dazzling aerial display of fireworks.
 |
Special thanks to “Diamond Blade Warehouse” for donating the polo shirts for our parade crew volunteers. |
 |
Special thanks to the "Vernon Hills Park District" for co-sponsoring the Lawn Chair Dads and allowing us to use Century Park for the evening events. |
 |
Special thanks to Hawthorn District 73 for providing the lodging for the Colts, Cadets and Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps. Without the use of the schools we would not have these marching uints. |
The Vernon Hills Park District points out that no alcohol is permitted in the park. If you would like to be a volunteer for the Parade Committee, please contact Lisa @ 847-918-3562.
Parade Volunteers
|
John Hintz
|
Bob Piecuch
|
|
Kathi McHenry
|
Cathy Byrne
|
|
Michelle Springer
|
Mike Meline
|
|
Sally Hansen
|
Steve & Sharon Maslov
|
|
Manny Colasuono
|
Joe Gross
|
GET ACTIVE AND USE YOUR IMAGINATION: Take part in the parade by getting your family, friends, playgroups, exercise partners together and create an entry for the parade. Start a tradition by being a part of the community and participate. Your Tuesday afternoon play group could become the “Silly Synchronized Strollers” or maybe “Dumpster Dads” with choreographed garbage can moves or the “Handy Man Blues” musical group with tools!! Instead of sitting on the sidelines, get creative and have some fun.
Special Thanks To the Vernon Hills Cultural Partners
|
