Above / Frank E. Fling has mustered up support for many Jaycees’ events, including the Last Fling Parade, planned to step off at 10AM Mon., Sept. 6, 2021, to top off the four-day family festival in downtown Naperville.
Updated Post, Sept. 4, 2021 / Early Sat., Sept. 4, Last Fling Co-Chair Pete Paulsen was ready to roll, happy to report a “great” first evening for the Naperville Jaycees four-day family fun festival. Last Fling continues from 10AM until 11PM Saturday and Sunday, and from 10AM until 8PM on Monday, Labor Day.
The annual Naperville Jaycees Labor Day Parade will step off at 10AM Mon., Sept. 6.
Original Post, July 13, 2021 / The Naperville Jaycees have named Edward Hospital Frontline Workers as the Grand Marshal of the 2021 Labor Day Parade presented by the City of Naperville and the Naperville Jaycees.
“We are proud and honored that our Edward Hospital frontline workers, who have worked tirelessly through the pandemic to keep all those affected safe and in good health, will lead the Labor Day parade,” said 2021 Last Fling Co-Chair Pete Paulsen. “Without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today in our great community.”
“We thank the Naperville Jaycees for the opportunity to serve as the Grand Marshal of this year’s Labor Day Parade,” said Joe Dant, President & CEO, Edward Hospital. “We truly appreciate the recognition of the staff’s efforts and are honored to have played such a critical role in caring for our community during the pandemic.”
2021 Labor Day Parade is set for 10AM Mon., Sept. 6
The 2021 Labor Day Parade will begin promptly at 10AM on Mon., Sept. 6, and will start at Naperville North High School, then proceed south on Mill Street, east onto Jefferson Avenue, south on Main Street, west on Porter until its conclusion at Naperville Central High School. (Note: No changes to the traditional Labor Day Parade route are reflected or expected at this time.)
According to Paul DeKruiff, with 14 years of Last Fling Labor Day Parade leadership with his wife, Laurie, the Jaycees again are putting together a parade that reflects all the good things happening in this community.
“We remain highly optimistic that we will be able to host a safe and family-friendly Labor Day Parade as we always have,” said Paul DeKruiff. “Marchers with parade entries are permitted to hand out candy—gently— along with novelties and water. We anticipate all the regular spectators again will save their spots along the parade route.”
Spectators are invited to gather safely in the parkways to show their gratitude and enjoy the spectacle of community spirit, following all local protocols in place on Sept. 6.
For information about participating in the parade, head to www.LastFling.org/Parade for details and pricing. Registration is now underway. Sign-up deadline is August 20, 2021.
Last Fling runs Sept. 3 through Sept. 6
The 2021 Last Fling will take place throughout Labor Day Weekend, from Fri., Sept. 3, to Mon., Sept. 6, as a block party-style end-of-summer community celebration along Jackson Avenue in downtown Naperville.
The community is welcome to join the members of the Jaycees, volunteers, and neighbors in enjoying the weekend’s live music, food and beverages, and carnival fun.
Local businesses and organizations interested in joining sponsors in support of this long-standing community event may contact admin@lastfling.org for opportunities.
The Last Fling is the Naperville Jaycees’ largest fundraiser, raising over two million dollars for nonprofit organizations throughout Naperville and DuPage County in the past 20 years.
Last Fling Labor Day Parade steps off at 10AM Sept. 6
The Jaycees’ event organizers appreciate all support of the Last Fling, as well as all past and new volunteers and sponsors who have continued to support the organization throughout the years, noted Danielle Tufano, 2021 Naperville Last Fling Entertainment/ Public Relations Chair, in a press release.
Last Fling Parade information and registration are available at lastfling.org.
Sing ‘Happy Birthday, dear Riverwalk’ at 2PM Labor Day
At 2PM Mon., Sept. 6, friends of the Naperville Riverwalk are welcomed to gather along the winding brick path, east of the Dandelion Fountain in Civic Plaza at the large granite monument that recognizes many of the generous donors who set into motion plans for the Riverwalk to commemorate the City’s sesquicentennial in 1981. As a gift to mark the 40th birthday of the city’s natural treasure, the Riverwalk Foundation recently funded a special project to spruce up more than 30 commemorative plaques and bench markers that help tell the story of can-do spirit. Following the very brief ceremony, folks may stop at the Pinot’s Palette booth along Jackson Avenue to pick up gift certificates for ice cream or cake available at downtown Naperville sweet shops, good at the participating locations Labor Day through Wed., Sept. 8. Kindly note: One certificate per person while supply lasts.
Naperville Jaycees since the mid-1950s
The Naperville Jaycees is a nonprofit service organization for young professionals dedicated to offering Naperville-area residents the opportunity to better themselves and to grow personally and professionally while giving through community service and fundraising efforts.
The group’s annual events include: Rock the Mic, East Egg Hunt, Lobster Day and countless other worthwhile projects that positively impact the community.
The group also organizes and staffs the Last Fling in close cooperation with the City of Naperville, the Naperville Park District, numerous Naperville community organizations and hundreds of volunteers. Proceeds from the Last Fling over the past two decades have exceeded $2M for other nonprofit organizations in Naperville and surrounding communities.
Monthly Jaycees meetings are open to all, and are held on the second Tuesday of each month at Judd Kendall VFW, 908 West Jackson Avenue. For more information, call the chapter’s hotline at (630) 961-9375 or visit naperjaycees.org.
Editor’s Note / Thanks to Last Fling and other fundraising initiatives, the Naperville Jaycees also funded several assets along the Riverwalk. The Jaycees Marina in the Paddleboat Quarry, Jaycees Playground, Jaycees Gazebo and Jaycees Park are among the organization’s generous gifts to the community.
Originally posted July 13, 2021. Last Updated Sept. 4, 2021.
