Shorter Algonquin Founders' Parade To Include Secret Entry

Algonquin's Founders' Days Parade will be unusual this year for two reasons.  One will be a 2.75-ton parade entry to whose existence FEN is sworn to secrecy.  The other is that the parade will be a lot smaller and more complicated to get to thanks to the closure for construction of Edgewood Drive, the normal parade detour. Parking in Algonquin's broadly-defined Downtown area will be restricted this morning to allow dispersal at the parade finish.

This evening things will be a little easier. From 5 until 11:30 pm the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Rotary Club and the Algonquin Township Road District will have free shuttle buses running every 20 minutes from and to parking at St. Margaret Mary Church and Joe Caputo's and Sons Market to Historic Village Hall.  The Shuttle will also run Sunday for the Founders Fireworks Display.

Friday's Founders' Days activities included a few that harked to days gone by when Algonquin was still just a tiny town on the way down the Fox River. One fun event  was the kids' bicycle decorating contest.  There were a lot of winners.  In fact, "We try to make it so every kid wins a prize," laughed Founders' Committee President Jeff Krajwewski.


Another family event was the Founders' Bake Off which drew a lot of entries. Here's the easy recipe for Friday's winner:

Mary Startejeruk's Lemon Crisp Cookies

1 pkg (18.25 oz) Lemon Cake Mix
1 cup crisp rice cereal
1/2 cup butter
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp. grated lemon Peel

In a Large bowl, combine all ingredients until well mixed, dough will be crumbly.Shape into 1 inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes. Cool for 1 minute, remove from pan and cool.