Le Grand prepares for annual Community Day

Le Grand will celebrate its 87th annual Community Day this Saturday with a parade, art show and famous deep-pit barbecue.

The festivities begin at 10 a.m. followed by the parade. Event coordinators are allowing those who wish to participate in the parade to do so. People should meet in front of the Methodist Church at Washington and Adams streets at 7:30 a.m. Parade sign-ups begin promptly at 8:30 a.m.

Parade coordinator Alex De Busk said some of the classic parade participants include local 4-H groups, veterans on Harley motorcycles, firefighters, J. Marchini Farms and local schools.

De Busk, a business owner and third-generation Le Grand resident, said the event is an opportunity for small-town families to get together and enjoy time with their already tight-knit community.

“It’s great because it gathers several generations. … You have great-grandparents having fun with their great-grandchildren,” she said.

De Busk, who is organizing the parade for the third time, said it also common to see residents from neighboring Planada come out and join the festivities. Planada held its own community day earlier this month, where a number of Le Grand residents also stopped by.

This year’s parade theme is “Because of You I Can,” a tribute to people who make a difference in the community.

The parade will be followed by a Flower and Art Show and children’s games at 11 a.m. The show’s theme will be “For the Love of Our Town.” A live jazz band will also perform.

The barbecue meals and sandwiches will be on sale from noon to 2 pm. The ticket booth for the meals and sandwiches will open at 9 a.m.

For more information, call Le Grand Community Day Chairman Tom Egling at (209) 389-4340.

This story was originally published May 20, 2015 at 5:30 PM with the headline "Le Grand prepares for annual Community Day."