Festival takes to the streets

Longtime Buffalo Grove resident George Krug waved to the throngs of people lining the village's streets on Sunday.

Krug insisted he had no idea why he was picked to be the Buffalo Grove Days parade Grand Marshal, other than having lived in the village since 1958.

"I guess it's because I've lived long enough," said Krug, 76, who has served on the village's plan commission for 30 years.

Thousands lined St. Mary's Parkway, Raupp Boulevard and Bernard Drive in Buffalo Grove on Sunday to see the parade as part of the annual fest.

While a carnival and craft fair operated nearby, the parade of fire engines, Boy Scouts, local businesses owners, marching bands -- including the bands of Buffalo Grove and Stevenson high schools, the Great Lakes Naval Band, the Drum & Bugle Corps and the South Shore Drill Team -- was the highlight of the day.

It was part of a five-day event that ends today near the corner of Lake-Cook Road and Raupp Boulevard.

The parade even drew people from nearby towns.

Sitting in a folding chair, Wheeling's Lillian Williams clapped for every float that passed her by. She said it was the first parade she'd ever attended.

"I'm having such a good time -- it's unbelievable," Williams said. "I never thought I'd have such a good time at a parade."

Wheeling resident Debbie Schuck -- whose husband, Troy, was on the float of his employer, the Buffalo Grove Jewel-Osco store -- has attended the parade for the last five years.

"Politicians come up to you shake your hand," Schuck said. "You don't see that much in other parades. It's usually them waving from a car."

The fest continues today at 11 a.m. with an arts and crafts fair, and the Buffalo Grove Area Chamber of Commerce business fair. At 12:30 p.m., amusement rides and the food tent open up. The fest runs until 6:30 p.m.