It Better Not Rain on Our Parade!

I kind of consider myself a parade connoisseur, if you will.  As a child, my mom always took us kids to local parades.  As a mom myself, I continued the tradition.  I have attended the Buffalo Grove Days parade since the late 80s.  In that tenured time, I don’t recall rain ever stopping the parade.  I’m not saying that a few raindrops haven’t fallen on the parade, but marchers and spectators alike chose to muddle through.  Why?  It’s great fun! In Buffalo Grove, we are fortunate to have a fabulous parade during Buffalo Grove Days.  With 100 entrants and several bands, our parade makes for wonderful, end-of-the-summer entertainment.  This year’s parade is once again sponsored by the Buffalo Restaurant and Ice Cream Shop.

As I have stated in the past, my favorite entrants in a parade are the bands.  This year, we welcome back marching bands from Buffalo Grove High School, Stevenson High School and St. Mary’s School.  Additionally, we will have the Crystal Lake Strikers Drumline for their inaugural appearance.   For car enthusiasts, the Chain-O-Lakes Model A Club and the Classic Corvettes of Chicago Land Club will drive in the parade.  

No parade is complete without a few Shriner units.  This year, the Shriners will return with ten of their uniquely entertaining entries, including the Medinah Black Horse Troop, the Cruzin Coolers and the Roaring 57s.  Here’s some big news:  next year, our parade will be a Medinah Shriners official parade.  This means that every Illinois chapter will appear in the Buffalo Grove Days Parade.  With 30 units, it should make for quite a show.  Many of us know the Shriners for these entertaining parade entries, however their organization is much bigger than parades.  The Medinah Shriners appear in parades to raise awareness of their true cause - free medical care for children.  They operate 22 hospitals throughout North and South America providing orthopedic, burn, cleft lip and palate, and spinal cord care to children.  No child is ever turned away.

Our parade’s Grand Marshall this year is Jane Olson, a 27-year resident of Buffalo Grove who worked at village hall for 26 years.  For the past 24 years, Olson was deeply involved with the planning and running of Buffalo Grove Days.  In that capacity, she kept track of all contracts, from the cash machine to the port-a-potties. She also made sure that all bills were paid on time.  She said her biggest responsibility was monitoring the entertainment contacts and their corresponding payments.  Were these glamorous duties?  Certainly not, but Olson always handled them with courtesy and professionalism.  I know that first hand.  Years ago, I remember going to Village Hall to buy carnival tickets.  There was Jane, smiling and helpful to a young mom.  

In her work with the Buffalo Grove Days Committee, Olson spent most of her time working on the parade.  “I was a behind-the scenes person helping the parade chairman by making phone calls, sending out information, and arranging details of the event,” she said.  “The most fun was being the parade float judge with co-worker, Carol Leiber.  We were able to put a face to the people and businesses we had talked to over the phone.  It was a reward to see all the hard work of the committee members and staff liaisons become real and successful.”  Now you know why she was picked to be this year’s Grand Marshall.

“I was honored to be chosen Grand Marshall by the Village Board.  I know the hard work the committee puts into it and I am honored to be involved in it,” she said.

Olson has been married to her husband, Bob, for 44 years.  She has two daughters.  Kristen is married with two daughters, ages nine and ten.  They live in Iowa Falls, IA, where Kristen works as a pre-school teacher in the public schools.  Her second daughter, Amy, resides in Wisconsin and is a teacher in early childhood education.

Returning to announce the parade for the Comcast and AT&T Uverse broadcast is Chuck Johnson.  Chuck served for several years as an Appearance Commissioner, a Plan Commissioner and, ultimately, as a Village Trustee. When appointed to his current job as a judge in the 19th Judicial Circuit, he was required to resign from his elected position.  Otherwise, he would be proud to still serve on our Village Board.  Joining him in the broadcast booth this year is yours truly.  Yes,  your favorite blogger will leave her keyboard behind and take to the microphone this year.  In addition to serving on the Buffalo Grove Days Committee, I am also a member of the village’s Plan Commission and served on the 50th Anniversary Committee. Oh, and by the way, Chuck and I more than an announcing team.  We are husband and wife!

The parade kicks off at 1 pm on Sunday, Sept. 4 at Bernard and Regent Drives, proceeding east on Bernard Drive to Raupp Boulevard, turning north to St. Mary’s Parkway.

Check back here for updates on Buffalo Grove Days or visit the website at http://bgdays.com/.