A celebratory atmosphere filled the Mokena Village Board meeting on July 14, as officials and community leaders recounted the success of the village’s Independence Day festivities and honored the winners of the annual July 4th Parade.

Cindy Gamboa of the Mokena Chamber of Commerce, who helps lead the parade committee, presented trophies to the winning entries. The theme for this year’s parade was “Songs of Freedom.”

Award winners included Grace Fellowship Church for Best Float, Arrie Bauer Buick GMC Cadillac for Crowd-Pleaser, and Wild Flowers for Most Creative. Granite Mountain received the award for Best in Keeping with the Theme, and Gas & Wash won for Best Vehicle.

Several special choice awards were also presented. Heritage Baptist Church received the Executive Director’s Choice award, Illinois Police Services won Judge Kelly Quickley’s choice, and the band Two Negative earned the Parade Committee’s Choice award. The Coher family float was chosen by judge Leah Montalvo, who is also the reigning Mrs. Illinois Petite. The Lincoln-Way Central High School marching band was honored as the parade’s Grand Marshal.

The meeting was filled with praise for the collaborative effort behind the events. Israel Smith, president of the Mokena Lions Club, thanked the village for its support of the Firecracker Fest, which he said was possibly the club’s “best event in 37 years,” drawing an estimated 1,000 people.

Mayor George J. Metanias lauded the spirit of the community. “I’ve had people come to me from other towns and say, ‘Man, how do you guys do it?'” Metanias said. “Well, it’s a lot of hard work with a lot of people that enjoy doing it.”