‘Chicago Fire’ star Joe Minoso named parade grand marshal
“Chicago Fire” star Joe Minoso will be the grand marshal for this year’s Riverside Parade of Lights through West Dundee, Carpentersville and East Dundee, according to the Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce.
The parade follows the route of the Fox River and will step off at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7.
Minoso has played firefighter Joe Cruz on “Chicago Fire” since 2012.
LWV holding candidate, referendum forum Oct. 9 in Batavia
The Leagues of Women Voters of the Aurora Area, Elgin Area and Central Kane County will host a forum for federal, state and judicial candidates running in the Nov. 5 election at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, at Batavia City Hall, 100 N. Island Ave.
Forest Preserve District of Kane County staff also will speak about the land acquisition and preserve improvement referendum that appears on the ballot.
Candidates invited to participate are those running for seats in U.S. House District 11, Illinois House District 49, Illinois Senate District 25 and the 16th Judicial Circuit 4th Subcircuit judgeship, according to a news release.
Voters can attend in person, watch the live stream on BATV (where available) or view the recording later on the BATV YouTube Channel. Written questions can be submitted at the live event.
South Elgin hosting Pumpkin Patch Fest, outdoor movies
South Elgin will hold its a Pumpkin Patch Festival and screen two Halloween season movies on Saturday, Oct. 5.
The festival will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Seba Park, 151 S. Water St., according to the village’s website. A pet parade starts at 9 a.m. and there will be a Scholastic Book Fair from 9 a.m. to noon. Attractions include a hay pyramid, pumpkin painting station, craft show, inflatables and a face painter. Pumpkins, hay bales, corn stalks and concessions will sold.
At dusk, the village will show a double-feature of the movies “Beetlejuice” and “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” in Panton Mill Park, 9 N. Water St. Both are intended for audiences 18 and older, a news release said. Attendees should bring chairs and blankets. A food truck will be on site.
Elgin zoo, museum to commemorate Indigenous Peoples day
Lords Park Zoo and the Elgin Public Museum will hold several programs Saturday, Oct. 5, to commemorate Indigenous Peoples Observation Day.
A talk on the importance of the bison to Native Americans and an introduction to Elgin’s new bison, Takoda and Buffy, will be held at the zoo at 11 a.m. That will be followed by museum staff reading its Land Acknowledgement Statement at 11:25 a.m. and Joseph Standing Bear performing a bison blessing ceremony at 11:30 a.m.
During regular museum hours of noon to 4 p.m. Native American information stations will be set up and archaeologist Ken Geier will demonstrate the art of making projectile points and arrowheads, known as flintknapping. From 1 to 2 p.m., Abaigael Collins will perform Jingle Dress and Shawl dances.
The museum is located at 225 Grand Blvd. and the zoo is at 207 Grand Blvd., both in Lords Park.
4-H to hold a fall open house for prospective new members
A 4-H open house to provide information about the organization’s youth programs will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21, at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles.
Potential 4-H members will learn what the organization has to offer and meet staff and volunteers, a news release said. Membership is open those between the ages of 8 and 18 and there’s a Cloverbud program for 5- to 7-year-olds.
Organizers said 4-H gives its members a sense of belonging through clubs and activities. Participants develop independence and teamwork skills, practice generosity through community service, and can participate in various opportunities at the regional, state and national levels, organizers said. Its members can explore topics such as animal science, environmental science, health, nutrition and global awareness.
