Press Contact Person:  Dawn Smith 
Glen Ellyn 4th of July Committee
630-251-9186
DawnLouiseSmith@hotmail.com
www.GlenEllyn4thofJuly.org


Bring your family and friends for Glen Ellyn's favorite hometown tradition, the annual Fourth of July Celebration.

July 2, 2011: Lake Ellyn Cardboard Regatta
12 noon at Lake Ellyn Park
The sky’s the limit - and sometimes, the bottom of the sea, when it’s the Glen Ellyn Cardboard Regatta! The regatta is a unique display of ingenuity, an ode to engineering and imagination. It’s an afternoon of hilarious fun, whether you’re onboard or onshore. Will the boats float? There’s only one way to find out! For registration information contact the Glen Ellyn Park District at 630-858-2462. www.gepark.org

July 2, 2011:  Picnic in the Park
11:30 AM – 3:00 PM at Lake Ellyn Park
Picnic in the Park while you witness the summertime spectacle of the Glen Ellyn Cardboard Regatta, as hundreds set sail in full regalia.  Enjoy great food - burgers, brats, hot dogs, and corn.  The Glen Ellyn Volunteer Fire Department will be the chefs of the event.  All proceeds go to the 4th of July committee, an all volunteer organization, to fund the parade and fireworks. www.GlenEllyn4thofJuly.org

July 4, 2011: Freedom Four ® Four-Mile Run
8:00 AM at Glenbard West Football Field
Join the biggest event of the running season! For registration for this star-spangled run contact the Glen Ellyn Park District at 630-858-2462. www.gepark.org

July 4, 2011: Glen Ellyn’s 4th of July Parade
12:00 Noon Downtown Glen Ellyn
Everybody loves a parade whether it is for the music, floats, or nostalgia of the red, white and blue.  The parade will begin east of Glenbard West High School on Crescent Blvd. and proceed west to Main Street, north to Linden Ave. and finally, east to Lake Ellyn. www.GlenEllyn4thofJuly.org

July 4, 2011: Afternoon Festivities at Lake Ellyn
1:00-4:00 at Lake Ellyn
Join us for summer fun!  This event is the perfect family activity after watching the Fourth of July Parade.  Participants may purchase a $2.00 wristband to enjoy all of the action, supported by generous donations from Rotary Club of Glen Ellyn and the Glen Ellyn Jaycees!  Be sure to bring your family for a couple of hours of fun at the lake!  2011 festivities will include:         Moonwalks, Inflatable Obstacle Course, Eight penny carnival games with tickets redeemable for lots of prizes, Live music and dancing, concessions and face painting.

July 4, 2011: Glen Ellyn’s 4th of July Fireworks
Dusk at Lake Ellyn Park
Join us as Glen Ellyn lights up the skyline celebrating America’s 235th birthday! Grab your blanket and be awed by this star spangled spectacle of fireworks.   No blankets are allowed on Lake Ellyn Park until the park opens on July 4th at 6 a.m.  Do not use rocks or stakes to hold blankets down and they should not be laid on landscape plants. The Glen Ellyn Forth of July Committee is offering special "Boomer Booster Seats" on the Lake Ellyn boathouse dock.  Look for new details as the arise. www.GlenEllyn4thofJuly.org

The Glen Ellyn 4th of July Committee, an all volunteer organization, would like to thank our corporate, professional, and governmental partners who support the Fourth of July Celebration in a variety of ways. Our sponsors provide generous financial and in-kind assistance that make our Fourth of July celebration always memorable and always spectacular!

###

Many Volunteers Needed for July 2nd & 4th for our Independence Day Celebration
Volunteers are needed for this year’s Picnic in the Park on Saturday, July 2nd and the Parade on Monday, July 4.  Over 150 volunteers are required to help stage these memorable events each year.  Even donating an hour or two to make the events fun and safe.  Please volunteer on-line at www.GlenEllyn4thofJuly.org .

###

Fourth of July Celebration Costs Money and Contributions are Needed
The 4th of July parade and fireworks are organized by the Fourth of July Committee - an all volunteer organization.   Both are completely funded by your contributions.  Please consider making a donation to Glen Ellyn Fourth of July Committee, P.O. Box182, Glen Ellyn, IL  60138 or visit us at  www.GlenEllyn4thofJuly.org

###

Grand Marshal Nominations
The Glen Ellyn 4th of July Committee is seeking Grand Marshal nominations for its annual 4th of July Parade. The selection committee will consider things such as each candidate’s community service involvement, volunteerism and leadership.  The nominations must include background information on each candidate. Please include the name, address and telephone number of the nominator. Nominees must be Glen Ellyn residents and consent prior to being nominated.  Please submit at www.GlenEllyn4thofJuly.org

###

Sunday, July 3, 2011: History Park Dedication -  A Community Event
1:00 P.M.  -  History Park Dedication at historic Stacy's Corner, Main at Geneva Road,  Glen Ellyn       
Featuring Blue Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Civil War Musketeers, Boy Scout Troops 46, 41 and 45.  Color Guards and official flag raisers, Forest Glen Elementary School  Brownies and Girl Scouts, Dignitaries, well-known historic people to meet and greet.   The Plaza will be officially named The Ward Plaza and Vintage Gardens.
1:30 to 3:00 P.M.  - Open House at Glen Ellyn Community Cultural Center, 800 N. Main Street
New exhibits in the History Center Activity Room, tours through Stacy's Tavern, unique gift items, savory foods, jams, jellies  and Glenbard West and South sports clothing on sale at Stacy's Corners Store, refreshments for everyone.
For information, call the Glen Ellyn History Center at 630-469-6372

###

4TH OF JULY FLOAT FEATURES COW TRAPPED ON ROOF OF FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Float for the Glen Ellyn 4th of July Parade Answers a Mysterious Question from 1920’s
Bringing to real life a story in Dan Anderson’s book, 24 tales of murder, mayhem, infidelity, pranks and other intriguing tidbits of Glen Ellyn history, the League of Extraordinary Float Builders chose to illustrate the unanswered question of, “How did the cow get on the church roof?
The story goes that several rascals came together on a Halloween night in the 1920’s and tied a cow to the roof of the First Congregational church.  It was attached with a hawser to the roof and it took two days for Glen Ellyn fire department to get the poor cow down from the roof.  It had to be milked while it was fastened to the roof.  Everyone knows that a cow needs to be milked twice a day. 
The building of the float is quite a challenge and the project was aided by the Village of Glen Ellyn  and Phase 1 Excavating who donated the cupola from the old gas station at Five Corners.  Materials were also acquired from the house next to Stacy’s Tavern Museum that was razed.  Pilcher Construction is sharing their expertise with the league to help them figure out the logistics of fastening the cow and bell to the cupola. 
Many volunteers are needed for this project to be completed in time for the 4th of July parade.  At least 17 walking young people, wagons and coolers are needed.  To volunteer time, wagons, or coolers contact Tracey Kreiling at wedoallevents@gmail.com.

Fourth of July in
  Glen Ellyn