This is Frankfort

From Generation to Generation: This IS Frankfort

(Photo courtesy of the Frankfort Area Historical Society)

Thanks to Corielle Heath and the Frankfort Fall Festival for letting me share a little corner of their social media universe.

I hate to be sappy…well, no, that’s not true. I like being sappy, but, seriously, when I think about my hometown, I get emotional. There’s something about Frankfort…from its pioneer roots as the little town on the prairie to its dogged determination to keep…(click here to finish reading at The Gilmore Girl’s Frankfort)

John and Judy Herder named Frankfort Fall Festival parade grand marshals!

At Sunday night’s Concert on the Green in downtown Frankfort, IL, Frankfort Fall Festival Chairman, Cindy Heath, revealed the identities of the 2012 Labor Day Parade grand marshals: John and Judy Herder.  Heath chose the couple, both of whom are longtime Frankfort residents, to lead the September 2^nd Labor Day Parade as an expression of gratitude for their manifold contributions to the local community.  The timing of Heath’s announcement was no accident: John Herder, an accomplished trombonist, was already seated on Breidert’s Green stage as he prepared to perform with the Joliet American Legion Band for the second concert of the evening. 

            The Herders are a staple in the Frankfort area, and their resume of volunteer activities, society memberships and accolades would make Bill and Melinda Gates feel unaccomplished. In addition to his 35-year career owning and operating Herder Family Trucking, John is a  is a 10-year volunteer fire fighter and former Chief of the Frankfort Fire Department, Director of both the Frankfort Area Historical Society and the Frankfort Preservation Foundation, and a four-time Appaloosa Horse World Champion—a list which merely skims the surface of his community engagement. John’s wife of 48-years, Judy, was named Frankfort’s “Volunteer of the Year” just two years ago, in 2012.  Her volunteer involvements, too numerous to list, include Directorships of Operation Playground, Inc., Friends of the Frankfort Public Library, and the Kidswork Children’s Museum, as well as her longstanding roles as the President of the Frankfort Historical Society and as the Executive Vice President of the Frankfort Preservation Foundation. 

            Not surprisingly, John and Judy are active volunteers outside their immediate community, as well.  Both are members of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Chicago Architectural Foundation, the Lincoln Park Zoo and the Route 66 Association of Illinois, to name only a few. Most importantly, they are devoted to their two children and eight grandchildren.  As per tradition, the Herders will ride in a vehicle of their choosing during the Frankfort Fall Festival’s annual Labor Day Parade, scheduled to kick-off at 1:00 p.m. on September 2, 2012. 

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The Frankfort Fall Festival is sponsored by the Frankfort Chamber of Commerce and run exclusively by local volunteers.  The award winning,  three-day arts and crafts fair brings together 300 artisans and roughly 300,000 patrons from around the country every Labor Day Weekend.  The 2012 Frankfort Fall Festival will take place September 1 – 3 and, in addition to the Labor Day parade, will include live music performances and a week-long carnival.  For more information on the Labor Day Parade or the Frankfort Fall Festival, visit www.FrankfortFallFestival.info or call the Frankfort Chamber of Commerce office at (815) 469-3356.

Connect with the Frankfort Fall Festival through our social media pages for up to the minute news and user-generated commentary.  We welcome you to use any of the vibrant, high-quality images you find on these pages in your articles, blog postings and more.

VIDEO: ‘Art Will Always Be a Part of My Life,’ Says Fall Fest Poster Winner

Jessica Cirullo, 18, had her winning design unveiled at this summer’s first Concerts on the Green on Sunday. Watch Patch’s video interview about the experience with the L-W East grad.

See on frankfort.patch.com

(Source: she-genius)

Frankfort Fall Festival chairwoman Cindy Heath knows who will head this year’s Labor Day Parade, but she’s not telling. Who do you think the 2012 grand marshal is? Share your suggestions in the comments section.

Anyone who correctly GUESSES the ID of the grand marshal wins a free Fall Festival poster and a Patch tee-shirt, courtesy of the Frankfort Chamber of Commerce and the Frankfort Patch!  Share your guesses in the comments section of this Frankfort Patch article, and we’ll see you on July 1 for the big announcement!

(Source: she-genius)

Check out our Pinterest page for photos of what you can find at the Frankfort Fall Festival!

INTRODUCING: One of Frankfort’s Most Talented

Meet Jessica Cirullo.

Jessica likes to draw.  Unlike most people who “like to draw,” Jessica can draw very, VERY well.  Better, in fact, than almost all of her peers in the Lincoln Way District 210 art programs. 

I know this because Jessica’s winning poster design was chosen by a panel of professional art and marketing professionals from amongst an elite group of 50 such designs submitted by art students at each of the four Lincoln Way High Schools (East, West, North and Central).  Jessica, a student at Lincoln Way East, rose outstandingly well to the challenging of representing the 2012 Fall Festival theme, “Carnivale,” through images. 

Her design features a Venetian Carnivale mask.  Upon closer inspection, iconic images of downtown Frankfort are skillfully drawn into each of the mask’s peaks.  In all honesty, its stunning.  I’ve already reserved one for myself—I will place it right next to the equally stunning image drawn by Lillian Krieger for the 2011 Frankfort Fall Festival.  Check each out below:

Jessica with Cindy Heath, Frankfort Fall Festival Chairman, on Sunday, June 17, 2012.

The 2011 winning poster design, by LW North student, Lillian Krieger, was a ruby red slipper reflecting images of Frankfort (prompted by the 2011 Fall Festival theme: Over the Rainbow).

(Source: facebook.com)