The Village of Antioch is pleased to announce that Ainsley Wonderling has accepted the honor of leading the annual Independence Day Parade as the Grand Marshal on July 4, 2017. As Antioch celebrates 125 years of incorporation this year, thousands of spectators will gather to take a trip through history with this year’s theme “Traveling Through the Generations”. The parade begins at 10:30am and will be broken into 5 distinct generational divides: Greatest Generation (pre 1945), Baby Boomers (1946-1964), Generation X (1965-1979), Generation Y “Millennials” (1980-1995) and Generation Z (1996-2010).
Who better to lead the Independence Day Parade “Traveling Through the Generations” than our local historian, Ainsley Wonderling. Ainsley serves as the manager and operator of the Lakes Region Historical Society, charged with preserving the rich history of Antioch and the Chain O’ Lakes area. Ainsley was born and raised in Antioch, and was the daughter of local legend Janet and William “Bill” Brook, namesake for the William E Brook Memorial Wetlands. For the 125th Anniversary Celebration, the Lakes Region Historical Society will be hosting “Shapeshifting Silhouettes” on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday through the month of July from 11-4pm. This event will feature ladies attire from the 1820’s to the 1970’s. They will also offer a coloring book and the Antioch Past & Present book of photos to commemorate this momentous occasion.
For the latest information on the 4th of July festivities, and 125th Celebration, please visit the Village of Antioch website at www.antioch.il.gov, and visit our facebook page.