MENDOTA – Everyone loves a parade. Mendota’s Sweet Corn Festival Grand Parade is a not-to-be missed event packed with fun and excitement to be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12.

Mendota’s parade is always one of the highlights of the Fest and this year’s is no exception. Come early to the parade, so as not to miss the pre-parade performance by the internationally acclaimed Jesse White Tumblers. This performance will take place at noon in front of the Elks Lodge on Indiana Avenue downtown. The Jesse White Tumbling Team will also perform along the parade route, courtesy of Mendota Agri-Products, Phalen Steel Construction Company and Midland States Bank Mendota.

The Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce, sponsors of Mendota’s Annual Sweet Corn Fest, have announced that this year’s parade will honor as Grand Marshal, retiring Chief of the Mendota Police Department Tom Smith for his many years of service to our community both personally and professionally.

Following the Grand Marshal will be the host band of Mendota’s Sweet Corn Festival Parade, the Mendota High School Marching Trojans. This widely-traveled band is a proud ambassador for Mendota.

The sounds of wooden fifes and rope tightened drums will also be heard at Mendota’s parade, as the popular and unique Janesville Fife & Drum Corps performs for parade goers. This corps is an authentic recreation of the Virginia Militia, once commanded by Colonel George Washington during the French & Indian War of 1755. They are here courtesy of Mendota businesses Casey’s General Store and Heritage Health, Therapy and Senior Care.

The Chicagoland group, Final Phaze Dance Troupe, will be demonstrating its Hip Hop Dance moves that have changed the standards in The Chicago Street Dance Industry, as they wow onlookers along the parade route. The troupe is sponsored by Diversifoam Products of Mendota.

Chicago’s Golden Knights Drill Team is also on the roster of parade units, thanks to Northern Partners of Mendota. The Knights will put on their high-energy performance as they travel down Mendota’s tree-lined streets.

Among the many Shrine groups coming to this year’s parade, representing the Tebala Temple in Rockford will be the Tebala Air Squadron, mini F-16 replicas made to look like the USAF Thunderbirds, sponsored by H. F. Gehant Bank of West Brooklyn and Ridley Feed Ingredients of Mendota; the Tebala Shrine Klowns jammed into one of their funny looking golf carts or riding unusual bicycles, sponsored by Heritage Health, Therapy and Senior Care of Mendota; and the Loves Park Shrine Club carousel, sponsored by R. H. Boelk Truck Lines.

The Mohammed Temple of Bloomington will be represented by its Tin Lizzie Patrol. The Temple has been helping children for over 40 years, sponsored by Northern Illinois Ambulance Billing of Mendota, and the Bloomington Shrine Club Calliope Unit, a 1978 Funeral Hearse with a circus calliope aboard, brought to this year’s parade by Sullivan’s Foods of Mendota.

Antique and Classic cars, trucks and tractors will also be parading down the streets. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of John Deere’s Tractor Division, the parade will feature the oldest of the John Deere tractors ever produced, the “1918 Water Loo Boy.”

You’ll even find a “White Ghost,” and some “Jolly Giants.”  The “White Ghost” is a replica of the small steam engines that pulled cars loaded with 40 men and eight horses in France during WWI.  It is from the Lee County 40 & 8, of the Dixon American Legion sponsored by Homestead Realty of Mendota. Also appearing are the “Jolly Giants” of Madison, Wis. These stilt walkers have walked thousands of miles in hundreds of cities across America and will be brought to this year’s parade by Mendota Shell/Johnson Oil Co. and Mendota Mutual Insurance. So be on the lookout for some very tall “feathered friends,” at the parade.

And last, but by no means least, the electrifying premier performers, Chicago’s South Shore Drill Team, will close out the parade. Its awesome performance in the parade will be followed by still more exciting dance moves as it puts on a post-parade performance at approximately 3:30 p.m. following the parade in front of the Elks Lodge downtown. This high-energy precision team is being brought to the parade by Mendota businesses and industries, Black Bros. Co., Financial Plus Credit Union, Prescott Brothers Inc., and Starved Rock Wood Products.

The Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce, sponsors of the event, invite everyone to bring their lawn chairs and enjoy the spectacle of the Sweet Corn Festival Grand Parade. Following the parade, visitors will be treated to some of the delicious Del Monte sweet corn, as it is served free to festival goers, dripping with butter from Sullivan’s Foods.