The parade theme for 2017 was “HONORING SOMERS HEROS!”  

 

The parade Grand Marshall was Steven Krause, who was the Somers Fire Chief, serving over 30 years on the Somers Fire Department. We had a beautiful day with clear sunny skies and temperatures in the high 80’s. Starting at 1:30 PM, Cub Scout Pack #436 started down the parade route handing out flags donated by David Leet Post #552. At 2:00 PM, the Somers Fire & Rescue Department as well as several local departments made their way down the parade route. Ron Bailey of Silverspoon Entertainment provided entertainment/announcements for the parade entries prior to the start of the parade.

 

The American Legion Color Guard Post #552 and Bagpiper Mary with drums, followed to honor our American veterans. The veterans included American Legion Post #552, VFW Pleasant Prairie Post #7308, Navy Club #40, John Sorenson, and Lot 31 Auto Sales. The Moose Riders Motorcycle Club followed. Steven Krause was honored to be this year’s parade Grand Marshall, driven by Ross Marshal, retired Dean of Emergency Services for Gateway, as well as retired Fire Chief from the Town of Burlington. Entertainment included the American/Rambler Band, Mike Schneider Polka Band, KR Bluegrass Band, MGV Harmonia, River City Rhythm, SLHS Band, and the Jolly Giant Stilt-Walkers.

 

There were many participants who entered floats: Snap-On Tools, Somers Community Church, Parkside Baptist Church, Burr Oaks Greenhouse, Somers Chargers 4-H, the Festival Foods Cart, Democratic Party of Kenosha, Republican Party of Kenosha, and Kenosha News. The parade also included local/state politicians, Baby Boomer Bikers,Cub Scout Pack #422, Kenosha Raptors, Somers Elementary, Pleasant Prairie Riders, Relay for Life, and Girl Scout Troops #9293 & #9364. The royalty included Miss Kenosha, Miss Bristol, and the Pleasant Prairie Court. 

 

Local businesses included Sam’s Club, Walmart, Kenosha Today, Michael DeLuca Realty, SouthPort Bank, Root Pike Watershed Network, Interstate Blood Bank, Golf Club Glen, DMT Property Maintenance, Walmart, CLJ enterprises, and Ozinga. University of Wisconsin Parkside entered an electric car. We also had three local farmers with their tractors, many classic cars, over two dozen vans from the Van Council, Mayva Fish, and horses from the Lace Feather Gypsies. 
 
There were a total of 72 entries. Thousands of people sat on chairs/blankets along the parade route. The parade route began at the west exit of Shoreland Lutheran High School, heading east down Highway E, then made a right turn at EA (72nd Avenue), ending at Somers Elementary. 
 
The Somers Fire & Rescue Association sold food and beverages at Fire Station #1 before, during, and after the parade. Shoreland Lutheran High School provided a concession stand for the parade entries prior and during staging. Lindsey Eigner, Daryn Dymond, Jack Stool, Andrew Li, and Devon Dymond volunteered their time to stage the parade entries. Immediately after the parade, the traditional Ice Cream Social commenced, served by volunteers from Bethany Lutheran Church and Joe Cardinali, Somers Board Trustee. The Big Balloon Tycoon made balloon animals for the children. Many individuals enjoyed music by KR Bluegrass in front of the Village/Town Hall during the social. Festival Foods supplied cake, ice cream, beverages, ice, and supplies for the Ice Cream Social. 

 

The Parade Committee continued the tradition of supporting the parade based solely on generous donations from local sponsors! This year’s sponsors were: Walmart, 7-Eleven, Lynch Chevrolet of Kenosha, David Geertsen – Kenosha County Chief Financial Officer, Greg Sinnen – Somers Board Trustee , George Stoner – Somers Village Board President, Stainless Products, Bear Realty, Baxter & Woodman, Dr. Abdul Durrani, Andrea & Orendorff LPP, Davison Law, Huck Realty, Ken Antaramian (Dete Development LLC), Market Squares Apartments, Jerry Smith Farm, Shoreland Lutheran High School, Line X of Kenosha, Nielsen Madsen & Barber, Staab Construction, Dejnos Trucking, Inc., Reesman’s Excavating & Grading, Lot 31 Auto Sales, Rossi Farms, CJW Inc., Ruekert & Mielke, 1st Industrial Realty Trust, Inc., Ben and Bette Harbach, Gun Shop, LifeQuest, RDM Municipal Supply & Service, Inc., and Herrling Clark Law Firm. Ron Baileys Services (Silverspoon Entertainment) of deejaying and making announcements during the staging of the parade was much appreciated. Shoreland Lutheran High School and Somers Elementary were gracious hosts allowing us use to utilize their parking lots for staging and ending the parade. Somers’ Public Works was also helpful in making sure flags were installed on poles throughout the Village, garbage cans provided, etc. 

 

The Somers Independence Day Parade and Ice Cream Social 2018 will be held on July 4th at 2:00 pm. The Somers Parade Committee thanks the sponsors, residents, and bystanders for making this the most anticipated event of Somers!

 

Respectfully submitted,
 
Somers Parade Committee 
Joe Cardinali
Daryn Dymond
Lindsey Eigner
Margie Hannes
Vern Kotten
Judy Schantek