Braidwood Lions Summerfest Grand Marshals chosen

STEPPING OFF! Braidwood police officers (from left) Mike Millerin, Todd Flint, and Vern Reed have been chosen as the Grand Marshals for this year’s Hometown Proud Parade during the Braidwood Lions Club Summerfest. Summerfest Operations Coordinator Josh Bolatto announced the decision on June 27, presenting the trio with recognition certificates. The parade takes place on Sunday, July 17, and steps off at 1 p.m. Photo by Marney Simon.

By: 
Marney Simon
Editor

As July rolls in, the countdown is on for the 2022 Braidwood Lions Club Summerfest.

Organizers continue to put the final touches and details on this year’s festival, with the theme “A Tropical Extravaganza.” And, one crowd favorite now has its leaders.

On June 27, Lions Club Secretary and Summerfest Operations Coordinator Josh Bolatto announced the Grand Marshals for this year’s Hometown Proud Parade.

The parade will be led this year by Braidwood police officers Vern Reed, Todd Flint, and Mike Millerin, who serve as the department’s School Resource Officers (SRO) for the Reed-Custer School District.

“Every year our club solicits nominations for the names of individuals who serve our area and who have made an impact on our community in some way, shape or form,” Bolatto said.

The names are submitted to the Lions Club, publishing a form in the Braidwood Journal and posting it online. Bolatto said this year, the club received more than a dozen nominations for the SROs.

“These nominees have helped to insure that the halls of our educational institutions have remained a safe place for our children to learn and for our teachers to teach,” Bolatto said during a special presentation for the Grand Marshals, which was held at City Hall. “Every day, they help to strengthen the bond between our law enforcement community and the youth in our community by providing them with guidance, serving as a role model, being someone that they can talk to, and showing them that police officers are more than someone who goes around pulling over vehicles and writing tickets.

“These nominees have impacted the lives of thousands of children and young adults over the years, and we could not be more thankful for their service,” Bolatto continued.

Summerfest tales place at Old Smokey City Park July 14 through July 17. The Hometown Proud Parade steps off at 1 p.m. on Sunday, July 17 at Main and Mitchell Street, winding the way down Main to Walker and back to the park.

Summerfest is the Braidwood Lions Club’s largest fundraiser of the year.

Proceeds benefit the club’s sight and sound humanitarian services, which include providing the public with hearing and vision exams.

Applicants seeking assistance from the club must reside in the club’s service area which includes the Braidwood, Godley and Shadow Lakes communities. Residents can request an application for assistance by contacting the Sight and Sound Coordinator at 815-458-6548.

In addition to Summerfest, the Lions also raise funds through annual broom sales, by taking part in the annual Lions of Illinois Foundation Candy Day each year in October, Christmas Tree sales each year starting after Thanksgiving, and the sale of Counter Mints at various restaurants, businesses and government buildings in town.

The Club also hosts raffles throughout the year, and participates in community events such as the annual Easter Egg Hunt, Halloween in the park, and decorating Main Street for patriotic events and the holidays.

Information on this year’s Summerfest is available in this week's paper and online editions of the Braidwood Journal, online at www.braidwoodlionsclub.org, and on the Braidwood Lions Club Facebook page, @Braidwoodlionsclub.