Palatine Jaycees seek participants for Fourth of July activities

The Palatine Jaycees are looking for individuals or organizations that are interested in participating in Palatine's July Fourth Celebration Hometown Fest to be held July 2nd through July 6th at Community Park on Palatine Road and Northwest Highway.

"This is the community's celebration and we want everyone involved," said Liz Noe, Co-Chair of the Festival.  "We have openings in the parade and the Arts & Crafts Fair / Business & Charity Expo.  Applications for all July 4th events are available on the Jaycee Fourth of July web site at www.hometownfest.org.  We are also looking for individuals who are interested in joining the Jaycees in time to help work the festival.”

“Each year at our Hometown Fest celebration we meet many people who wish they had joined the Jaycees in time to help run the Festival,” continues Noe.  “We have so much fun with the carnival, parade and entertainment that people see our enthusiasm and want to get involved.  If you are interested in joining the Jaycees in time to have some fun with us at the Fourth of July Festival give us a call at 847-604-0288.”

The parade, which will be held on July 5th at 10:00 AM, has openings for groups who would like to enter a float or simply march in the parade.  Entries in the parade will cost $50.00 for charities and organizations and $100.00 for businesses.  According to Co-Chair of the Festival Jason Foltyn, “Applications will be evaluated based on theme representation, entertainment value and past participation in our parade.”

“The Arts & Crafts Fair / Business & Charity Expo will have nearly 100 exhibits of pottery, jewelry, photography, sculptures and paintings,” said Traci Hinshaw, Festival Co-Chair.  “As in the past in addition to arts and crafts, we will also have a Business Expo as well as a Charity Expo for non-profit or not-for-profit organizations.”

The Arts & Crafts Fair / Business & Charity Expo has a limited number of booths still available.  Exhibitors will be assigned a 12' X 12' space on a first come, first serve basis.  An arts & crafts booth will cost $75.00 for both days.  A Business Expo booth will cost $175.00 for both days and a Charity Expo booth will cost $30.00 to the charitable organization.

“Hometown Fest is one of the best known and attended events in the area,” said Foltyn.  “We have a number of different sponsorship opportunities available that will get the sponsor’s name in front of tens of thousands of local residents while supporting this community favorite project.  If you would like to discuss becoming a sponsor, give us a call at 847-604-0288 or email sponsorship@palatinejaycees.org.”

Projects like the Fourth of July festival are just one of the ways the Jaycees give back to the community.  Every year, the Palatine Jaycees conduct numerous programs to serve the community and accumulate funds for operation of the Chapter and community donations.  Included in these projects are the Easter egg hunt, Christmas tree sales, a Best Pizza competition and others, which benefit the community directly and help raise money.

The Palatine Jaycees provide development opportunities that empower young people between the age of 21 and 40 to create positive change.  As one of Palatine’s foremost organizations for young people, the Palatine Jaycees have provided community based events and funding to Palatine for more than fifty years.  As one of the largest chapters in the state of Illinois, the Palatine Jaycees offer a combination of community service, individual development and social opportunities.

The Palatine Chapter holds their monthly general meeting on the third Thursday of the month at 7:30 PM at the American Legion Hall on Palatine Road in Palatine.  For further information on the Palatine Jaycees, membership or any of their sponsored events write to the Palatine Jaycees, Post Office Box 1517, Palatine, IL 60078-1517, call them at 847-604-0288, email them at info@palatinejaycees.org or visit www.palatinejaycees.org.