The Parade
The highlight of Buffalo Grove Days has always been the parade. In early years, the parade looked a little different though...
Since there were no local high schools yet, the only bands in the parade had to be hired from out of town. Scout groups and community groups marched then like they do today, but there were also some surprising parade entries that we don’t see anymore.
In 1965, the parade included a missile from the local army base, and for a few years the men of Belaire Drive marched as a precision lawnmower team!
Everyone got a chance to be a part of the action, since the end of the parade was open for every child in Buffalo Grove to join, riding on their own decorated bicycle.
Float Contest
For over 60 years, Buffalo Grove Days has featured a parade with lots of floats, and a float contest. Pictured below is the 1st place float from the 1966 parade. The float was a river boat with lots of colorful flags decorating the sides. Children in costume rode on the top of the float, and a person dressed as Abraham Lincoln sat on the lower level. Winners of the float contest were awarded big trophies.
Miss Buffalo Grove
The Miss Buffalo Grove Contest, which occured in May, crowned Miss Buffalo Grove to represent the village in events like Buffalo Grove Days. Miss Buffalo Grove rode around in her own car or float during the parade. This event only occured during the 1960s and 1970s.
The magazine featured on the right, had all the information about the Miss Buffalo Grove Contest in 1972. There was a schedule, judge information, and pictures of all the contestants.
Check out our gallery of parade photos and artifacts!
