Growing parade, festival highlight community

Whalen chosen as parade grand marshal

BRACEVILLE – Some say it was the second annual parade for the town; others insist it was the third.

Regardless, about 13 floats, fire trucks, and walking units took part in Sunday's parade, climaxing the village's celebration of the Braceville Summer Kick-Off.

"The first year, it was only a couple units in the parade," said Kelly Surma, who moved to the village of 800 – according to the 2000 census – three years ago from Joliet. "It grows every year."

Ray Klingberg helped his wife, Patty, and others line up their units for the march through town.

"My wife's involved in the Vacation Bible School at the Braceville United Methodist Church, so she's doing the parade as kind of advertising," he said before it rolled off. "I think this is the third year – or maybe the fourth, for the parade."

The idea of the summer celebration was begun by a Braceville Citizen Action Team, which wanted to have a festival in the town. The 2009 event included a carnival, beer garden, softball tournament, fireworks, and bingo.

Matt Whalen served as this year's parade marshal. An unexpected honor, he said, as the units lined up to begin the tour through town.

"I'm very honored," he noted. "I have no clue why they chose me. I help the Braceville Fire Department quite a bit, and maybe they thought I could serve this position."

Matt was stunned when informed he would head the parade.

"It just went through me," he said. "I wondered what was going on. Then I told them yes, sure, I'll do it."

Patty Klingberg and Shari Hansen organized the Bible School float and also the local United Methodist Church float.

"It took us about three get-togethers to put it together," Patty said with a smile.

Laura Soto chose a nice, sunlit spot along the route to see the parade pass by.

"Parades are a lot of fun," she said. "My kids are in the parade, and I came to watch them."

Soto believed this to be the second year for the event.

Bob Wallerich sat on the tailgate of his pickup truck to watch the parade. His daughter was in the event, and he came to watch and applaud.

"I like to see everybody have a good time," said Wallerich, who is originally from Gardner and now lives in Braidwood.