Pre-Events

11:00 – 11:30 AM · Main Entrance

• Opening cannon volleys
• Tom Houts & Friends Bagpipers
• CMHS Marching Band — David Allie, Director
• Antique autos — Howard Robinson, Tom Witvoet, Matt Peterson
• Highway equipment — Crete Township Highway Department

Opening Ceremony

11:30 AM – Noon · Multi-Purpose Room

• CMHS Marching Band — “For the Colors” — David Allie, Director
• Posting of the Colors — NJROTC, commanded by Petty Officers Ramon Nieves and Britney Werner; Crete American Legion Post 1291 — Larry Black, Commander
• Star Spangled Banner — Al “Big Voice” Mack
• Opening greeting & comments — Michael Liccar, Supervisor, Crete Township
• Opening invocation — Jonathan Womack, Ruling Elder, Crete Church
• Recognition of Crete area civic & non-profit organizations

Main Stage

Noon – 4:00 PM · Multi-Purpose Room

Community & Civic Showcases

All day · Interior & exterior booths

• Crete Food Pantry — accepting non-perishable food donations
• Crete Area Chamber of Commerce — rock painting for kids
• Crete Lions Club — snow cones
• Crete Area Historical Society — local history displays
• Steger Historical Society — local history displays
• Crete Fun-Timers — hot dogs, chips, popcorn, water
• Crete Township Youth Commission — snacks & treats for kids
• Crete Township Youth Fishing Club — casting demos & kids’ game
• Sauk Trail Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution — kids’ coloring & family genealogy tips
• Crete Township Fire Protection District — First Aid Station
• Crete Community Runners Association — treats for kids
• Angels on Assignment — old-fashioned corn roast
• Will County Dept. of Public Health — free Naloxone kits & health survey
• Old Plank Trail Bank — giveaways
• Crete Park Pals — activities for kids
• Crete F-Men — safety information
• Crete Kids Club — activities and treats
• Creative Cure Studios — treats
• Facepainting with Sarah
• Ron Muskina — wood carving
• Al Kamminga — braiding demo
• Joey Boswell — jewelry making

Outdoor Activities

Living History Village · 12–4 PM

• Crete Woman’s Club presents “The Ladies of Philadelphia” — Colonial reenactments by the Northwest Territory Alliance. Doll making for kids and George Washington’s favorite game, “Shut the Box”!
• Authentic Pioneer Camp — Dan & Barbara Gerk Family & Friends: candle making, blacksmithing, cooking, antique firearms
• Storytelling — Cindy Horgash

Just for Kids

• Pony rides & petting zoo (12–3 PM) — Sarah’s Pony Rides
• Mega-Giant Bubbles Fun (12–3 PM) — Crete GEMS Club
• Youth Fishing Club at the pond (12–4 PM)

Food & Refreshments

For sale all day

• Crete Township Fun Timers — all-American hot dogs, chips, popcorn, water
• Crete Lions Club — classic snow cones
• Angels on Assignment — old-fashioned corn roast
• Slacker T BBQ food truck — the best in BBQ
• Busia’s Bus — authentic Polish international cuisine

Our Generous Sponsors

Thank You

This event would not have been possible without the dedicated time and service of our Planning Committee members and volunteers:

• Cheryl Albrecht
• Tracey Barbour
• Larry Barker
• Jim Buiter
• Gene Borkowski
• Steve Clark
• Randy Dunlap
• Sheila Einhorn
• Frank Elton
• Adriene Garcia
• Roseanne Gardner
• Dan Gerk
• Barbara Gerk
• Sandi Gerk
• Lily Gerk
• Carina Gerk
• Jo Hansen
• Laura Hawkins
• Pam Hoffman
• Betsy Janicki
• Howard Kaye
• Midge Koza
• Debra Liccar
• Michael Liccar
• Chris Manola
• Ray McLaughlin
• Lavon McLauglin
• Al McGlothen
• Catrina McGlothen
• Carol Millsap
• Matt Peterson
• Dr. Ghantel Perkins
• Tim Piepenbrink
• Barb Recupito
• Howard Robinson
• Candy Paris Rush
• Sandi Smigel
• Tifanni Sterdivant
• Bob Walters
• Jim Walters
• Tom Witvoet
• Becca Wolfe
• Brian Wood
• Rich Van Til

Special thanks to Ray McLaughlin and Nadine & Ron White of Soundtronix for sound equipment and professional tech services, and to Jerome Frazier for DJ services.

Additional thanks to: Crete-Monee School District 201U, Crete-Monee High School students & staff, Crete Area Historical Society, Crete Food Pantry, Crete Township Fun Timers, Crete Lions Club, Crete Woman’s Club, Crete Area Chamber of Commerce, Angels on Assignment, Crete-Monee Marching Band, Crete American Legion Post 1291, NJROTC, Crete Township Fire Protection District, Village of Crete EMA, Crete F-Men, Martin Butler, Tom Witvoet, and Rich Van Til.

And to our Crete Township staff: Carol Millsap, Jo Hansen, Bob Walters, Patty Hanus, and Pam Vasquez.