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The "Grand" Winner: Friends of the City Museum Float

Judges selected the float of Friends of the West Chicago City Museum for the Grand Marshal Award, which is for the float that best depicts the theme of the parade. This year the theme was Every Day Olympians. The judges said, "It by far caught and portrayed the theme."

Winning the Turner Award was Kinder Care Learning Centers. This award is for the business or organization best portraying its services and purpose. "There was no doubt about the purpose of the business. "The puppets were the perfect touch."

West Chicago Youth Cheerleading Organization won the Heritage Award, which is for the youth group showing its purpose, enthusiasm and spirit. "They were rousing and peppy with their cheers. We liked the addition of bells."

Information above from At Home with Merle Burleigh.

Photograph courtesy of Uwe Gsedl.

2016 Railroad Days Parade: A Community Favorite

Parade themed Everyday Olympians, and fundraiser at Railroad Days raises $1,075 for Special Olympics Illinois

Always a crowd pleaser, the 2016 Railroad Days Parade stepped off at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 10, 2016. Entrants were met with cheering and appreciative crowds. The parade, which winds through the neighborhood starting from Elmwood Street and Ingalton Avenue and proceeds on Ingalton to East Washington Street, then north on Arbor Avenue to Reed-Keppler Park on National Street, continues to be one of the most popular attractions of the four-day event.

The theme was  Everyday Olympians, which honors the 2016 Summer Olympics and acknowledges the many citizens that participate in and support Senior Olympics, Academic Olympics, Wounded Warriors and Special Olympics.

Funds raised by the West Chicago Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 85 and Haggerty Ford through a Dunk-a-Cop event raised $1,075 for Special Olympics Illinois in 12 hours during Railroad Days at Pioneer Park. Detective Robbi Peterson conveyed a huge thanks to all the Aldermen, the Mayor and Chief Uplegger for volunteering to sit in the tank on Saturday. (Click on video below to watch some of the fun)

Top Photo: Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti (wearing red), Mayor Ruben Pineda (wearing purple), and West Chicago Police Detective Robbi Peterson grab a quick photo with Grand Marshal's of the West Chicago Railroad Day's Parade

Bottom Photo: Detective Robbi Peterson stops in 2016 Railroad Days parade to take a picture with two local children.

Photos courtesy of Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce.
Video clip courtesy of Alderman Melissa Ferguson.