Patriots On Parade: July 4 Winners Recognized At Board Meeting

MOKENA, IL — Mokena's annual July 4 parade is long over, but the memories last for those who were in attendance to see the many decorative and festive floats that participated in the parade.

During Monday's Village Board of Trustees meeting, the Mokena Chamber of Commerce handed out its awards for a variety of categories. Cindy Gamboa, who works year after year on helping make the annual parade a success, was on hand to give the winners their trophies.

"I'm super excited because all of our winners are here, so that's a great year for everybody," Gamboa said.

Here's a list of the winners:

• Best Float: Grace Fellowship Church of Mokena
• Most Creative Advertisement of a Business: Axion Dental
• Best in Keeping with Theme: Mokena Baptist Church
• Best Vehicle: Homewood Disposal
• Mokena Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Melissa Fedora's Choice: Farm 2 Veteran/Fulcrum Farm
• Head Judge Kelly Quigley’s Choice: Mokena Youth Athletic Association MYAA
• Judge Meghna Patel’s Choice: NAWS Humane Society of Illinois/Resale for Rescues
• Judge Lora Healy’s Choice: Mokena Community Park District

The three judges who decided the awards were Kelly Quigley of Aurelio’s Pizza of Mokena and Mokena Chamber Membership Recruiter, Meghna Patel of Premier Chamber Member Aesthetica Day Spa, and Lora Campos-Healy 2022 Mokena Chamber President.

Mokena Mayor Frank Fleischer thanked Gamboa and all the volunteers and Village staff who helped put on the parade.

"All of you who are involved with this parade should be proud of yourselves," Fleischer said. "It seems like every place I've been, people know about the Mokena parade. I'll be talking to somebody about it, and they'll say, 'Oh, I go there every year.' So, this has gotten to be a big deal."