Illinois Youth Volunteers Will Serve As Grand Marshals Of The 2011 Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. –   Some exceptional young people from the Springfield area who volunteer their time to serve others have been selected as this year’s Twilight Parade Grand Marshals.  The 2011 Grand Marshals were selected for their commitment to serving others through the Serve Illinois Commission, whose mission is to improve Illinois communities by enhancing traditional volunteer activities and supporting national service programs. Eight of the grand marshals are AmeriCorps members from the Springfield Urban League and serve as tutors and mentors for afterschool programs.  The others are students from Springfield Public School District 186 who volunteer their time by serving food to the hungry at St. John’s Breadline and by working at the Springfield Ronald McDonald House.

“This year we decided to recognize the impressive volunteer efforts of Illinois youth,” Illinois State Fair Manager Amy Bliefnick said. “Keeping in line with the state fair theme, ‘We’ve Got a Good Thing Growing,’ these grand marshals demonstrate that Illinois continues to grow responsible and dedicated young men and women who will become future leaders of our state.”

The 2011 Grand Marshals are:

Springfield Urban League AmeriCorps                     Springfield District 186 Youth

Brandis Holloway                                                         Lance Boozer               Corey Todd

Janette Stewart                                                             Justin Palmer                Dennis Shannon

Saraya Curry                                                                Ben Patton                   Kendall Murdock

Uniquika Boyd                                                             Cameron Drake            Rachel Ray

Karson Moore                                                             Monica DeVault           Zach Wilson

Aaron Slater                                                                 Kristin Coogan            Camren Sisti

MorrQuem Hobson                                                      Taylor Lanctot

Lamond McCrary                                                         Lyndsey Stoutamyer

The Twilight Parade is held on Preview Day, Thursday, Aug. 11.  It will begin at 6 p.m. at the corner of 9th Street and North Grand Avenue and end inside the Illinois State Fairgrounds.  The Illinois State Fair runs Friday, Aug. 12 through Sunday, Aug. 21.  For more information, please visit www.illinoisstatefair.info.