4th of July Parade Float Contest Winners

Patriotic
1. United Brothers of Carpenters and Joiners, Local 363
2. Sherman Hospital

Community Spirit
1. EFS Bank
2. ABODE

Creative
1. Elgin Theatre Co.
2. Elgin Church of the Nazarene

The Downtown Neighborhood Association and the City of Elgin extend a thank you to all the sponsors, participants, volunteers and spectators.

Ducklings Rescued by Local Shop Owner

Jonathan Winkle, owner of the Bleu Delph Flower Shop on North Grove, contacted animal control Tuesday after hearing quacking coming from a planter. Elgin Animal Control Officer, James Rog escorted the mother duck and three ducklings across East Chicago Street to the Fox River. A photo and caption were in Tuesday's Wednesday's Courier News. These urban ducks enjoy downtown as much as us humans. Fred and Judy Steffen have had a duck nesting on their rooftop deck for a couple of years.

4th of July Parade Float Contest Winners to be Announced at Council Meeting

Awards will be presented to the winners of the float contest along with recognition of the volunteers and sponsors at the City Council meeting on Wednesday, July 27th at 7pm. The meeting is being held at the Heritage Ballroom in The Centre.

Thousands of Elgin residents lined up along beautiful Douglas Avenue to enjoy Elgin’s annual 4th of July Parade. More than 125 groups participated. The Downtown Neighborhood Association and the City of Elgin extend a thank you to all the sponsors, participants, volunteers and spectators.

Walton Islands

The Walton Island improvements were covered by Gloria Carr in the Courier News on Monday. Read the article

The Elginite blog had a comment.

"It's unfortunate that there's a huge piece of kitsch shaped as a frozen American flag marring the landscape of Walton Islands. What's the point? If they wanted a flag on the island, why didn't they put up a real flag? It would have looked 100x better than the current monstrosity."

What do you think?
How does the new flag compare to the original painted flag?

Design Committee Neighborhood Walk for July 26th

The DNA Design Committee is conducting neighborhood walks every Tuesday from 12 to 1 pm. Meet at the DNA office, 2 Douglas, before 12 noon. The purpose of the walk is to note any areas that require attention. The list will be forwarded to the city and reviewed by the committee.

The walk for Tuesday, July 26th will cover the block bordered by Highland, Douglas, Division and Spring. The walks will continue until the entire downtown is covered.

Link to map of walk areas.

Call (847)488-1456 or email for more information.

Downtown Elgin Summer Carnival

Photo by Kirk Lawler

Get ready for some fun in Downtown Elgin!! Starting on July 28th the Carnival will be in town at the old library parking lot, right off of Kimball and Grove. There will be rides, games, booths, entertainment, music, food and more!!! The times of operation are as follows:

Thursday July 28th - 5pm-10pm
Friday July 29th - 1pm-11pm
Saturday July 30th - 1pm-11pm
Sunday July 31st - 1pm-10pm

Unlimited ride specials are available on the following days and times:

Thursday July 28th - 5pm-9pm
Friday July 29th - 1pm-5pm
Saturday July 30th - 1pm-5pm
Sunday July 31st - 1pm-5pm



For more information contact DNA at (847) 488-1456.

July Out to Lunch

Come join your Downtown Elgin neighbors for food and conversation this Monday, July 25th at noon at Prairie Rock Brewing Co. , 127 S. Grove Ave. APPETIZERS and non-alcoholic DRINKS are included. The sandwich choices are Prime Rib, Club, Salmon, and Pulled Chicken. These include a choice of one side (rice, mixed fruit, french fries, coleslaw or mashed potatoes). The cost is $11.50 Please give DNA a call at (847) 488-1456 to make your reservation.

Ina Dews in the News

Our Harvest Market manager and long time community volunteer Ina Dews is profiled today in a Daily Herald story (read the article).

"Ina says she is just as eclectic as the quilts she stitches together."

How many of you knew she had time to quilt?