Marching Illini set to perform during Threshermen’s Parade in Pontiac

The Marching Illini performed for the first time in front of fans this past weekend at Memorial Stadium. (Photo courtesy: Blake Haas/WJBC)

By Blake Haas

PONTIAC – The University of Illinois Marching Illini are set to wow fans as the featured entertainment for this year’s Threshermen’s Parade in Pontiac.

The 404-student-strong marching band is performing during the parade on Sunday, Sept. 4, and then performing with the Pontiac Township High School for a halftime show.

The unique, one-time-only event begins at 4:30 p.m. on PTHS Williamson Field.

The Pontiac Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Threshermen’s Parade kicks off Sept. 4 at 1:15 and will head N. on Mill St., east on Madison St. The parade then continues N. on Main St. until the conclusion of the parade.

The parade and halftime performance is free and open to the public.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…