New route for Fall Festival Parade on Main Street

The Roscoe Lions Fall Festival parade  will take a new route for 2021, and all roads on the Main Street parade route will be closed to vehicle traffic beginning at 10:00 a.m. Sunday, September 12, 2021. The parade steps off at 11:00 a.m., moving northbound from Bridge and Main Streets, and ending at Williams Street near Main Street Square.

Thousands of spectators will be gathered along Main Street for this festival tradition, led by the Roscoe VFW color guard and a contingent of Lions members. This year's parade honors the 20th anniversary of 9-11. John Cressman of the Roscoe Lions Club says the parade will feature the Roscoe police department and fire department, "local dignitaries, marching bands, floats, local sports groups, local cheer teams, dancing teams, gymnastics teams, antique cars, veterans and other local organizations."

Intersections affected by the Main Street closure at 10:00 a.m. Sunday:

• Williams St.
• Pine Ln.
• Chestnut St.
• Broad St.
• Harrison St.
• Presley Pl.
• Bridge St.

According to Deputy Police Chief Sam Hawley, a barricade at Hodges Run and Main Street will guide southbound motorists away from the parade route before they reach Williams Street. From Hodges Run, motorists can take 2nd Street south toward the festival site at Leland Park or travel north on 2nd Street to Elevator Road.

The intersection from 251 to Williams Street will also be closed, keeping children safe as they climb down from floats at the end of the parade.

Ten minutes before the parade starts at 11:00 a.m., Bridge Street will close to east and west traffic as well. Drivers on Belvidere Road/Bridge Street can cross Main Street at Grove Street instead, turning south onto Vine, Pearl, or Mulberry Streets.

McDonald Road and Elevator Road will remain open.

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Over 40 groups and individuals have been signing up for months to join the parade, which will begin to line up at 10:00 a.m. Sunday morning on Main Street at McDonald Road up to Bridge Street. A parade official will be at McDonald Road and Main Street to direct each unit to their assigned location.

Besides the parade participants listed below, another dozen local businesses will also be there:

Civic Organizations

• Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and VFW Auxiliary
• Roscoe Lions Club
• Rockton Lions Club
• Rockton-Roscoe Rotary Club

Bands/School Groups

• Roscoe Middle School Band and Poms
• Kinnikinnick Middle School Band
• Willowbrook Middle School Band
• Hononegah Community Band
• Cross and Crown Pre-School

Representatives of Other Local Festivals/Activities

• Young at Heart Royal Court
• Fear Fest

Scout Groups

• Daisy Girl Scout Troop 384
• BSA Troop 620
• Rockton Cub Scout Pack 619
• Girl Scouts of Park North State-Line

Non-profit and Youth Organizations

• Pink Heals Cancer Awareness
• Wicked Elite Cheer
• RRL Jr Indians Football and Cheer
• Bruce Samlan Soccer League
• 1930 Model A Ford Car Club

Local Leaders

• Roscoe Village President
• Roscoe Police Chief
• Roscoe Fire Chief
• Winnebago County Board Members

Local Government Services

• Fire Departments
• Police Departments
• Stateline Mass Transit
• Village of Roscoe Public Works

Admission is free.

The Roscoe Fall Festival dates back to 1910 and features free entertainment, great food & fun, five live bands, a beer tent by Poison Ivy Pub, carnival rides by Skinners' Amusements, raffles with a $5,000 grand prize drawing, an exhibitor tent, karaoke music, and a Kiddie Costume Parade.