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The city of Atlanta, Illinois, marked a milestone this weekend with
its 75th annual Fall Festival Parade, filling the streets with
color, sound, and community pride despite the sweltering 95-degree
heat. Spectators lined the sidewalks to watch as floats, marching
bands, and local organizations made their way down the parade route
in celebration of the town’s heritage and future.
Among the parade’s most recognizable participants were the past
Atlanta queens, joined this year by the Logan County Fair Queens and
the newly crowned Prince and Princess of Atlanta. Their smiles and
waves set the tone for a day that balanced tradition with playful
creativity. Floats included everything from tractors and horses to
political displays and themed entries that ranged across decades of
American culture.
Several floats leaned heavily on nostalgia. A 1990s-themed “Life is
a Tapestry” float shared the street with a “Back to the 80s” entry
that featured retro MTV colors and a giant cassette tape proclaiming
“4-H is Totally Rad.” Another float, “Flower Buds,” paid homage to
the 1960s, complete with “Flower Power” lettering, green frills
imitating grass, and dozens of potted flowers. The participants
dressed in hippie-inspired outfits, complete with headbands,
jewelry, and colorful sunglasses, while handing out candy to the
crowd. The 1950s were also remembered with a float replicating a
diner in tribute to the now-closed Palm’s Grill, complete with
mannequins, tables, and menus.
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Other local organizations also showcased their pride. The Atlanta
National Bank went retro with its float, while the local library
rolled through in a green-and-gold golf cart. The Shriners Hospitals
for Children represented with their “Bloomington Shrine Calliope
Unit,” in their car. Vintage cars cruised alongside tricycling
Olympia elementary students decorated with autumn leaves.
The Olympia Spartans marching band brought music to the parade under
the leadership of their new band director, Kevin Greene. “It’s my
first year at Olympia but my 10th year teaching,” Greene said. “The
kids have been great so far. We had our band camp in July to prep
for our marching show, and we’ve been having consistent Tuesday
evening rehearsals. We’ve done Danvers, Atlanta, and have our
homecoming parade [is] coming up. It’s been a great season so far.”
The parade also carried strong notes of community service and civic
engagement. Casey Glandon, in her first year leading the Atlanta 4-H
group of children ages 5 to 15, helped coordinate the young members’
participation. Club leader Jill Peters emphasized the role of 4-H in
shaping tomorrow’s leaders. “We are a young 4-H club. We are
learning all together about all of the different projects we can
take each year,” Peters said. “We like to give back to the
community, so we will do a lot here in Atlanta just to help out. It
teaches our kids how to volunteer, leadership, community
service—‘making the best better’ is the 4-H slogan.”
The crowd also cheered for first responders and veterans. The
Atlanta Police, Fire Department, and Rescue Squad joined the
Armington Fire District and the Department of Natural Resources,
complete with Smokey Bear, in filling the streets with sirens and
horns. Veterans followed on a float draped in flags, while four
walked ahead carrying the American and American Legion flags, two of
them armed in honor of service.
Even with the heat pressing down, the parade remained lively from
start to finish. From political floats adorned with signs and
balloons to a man on a motorcycle waving a pride flag and a sign
reading “LOVE THY NEIGHBOR,” the event reflected both the spirit of
the Atlanta community. After 75 years, the Fall Festival Parade
continues to be a highlight of the season, bringing together
history, entertainment, and civic spirit in one vibrant procession.
[Sophia Larimore] |
