Expect to see Elsa the dachshund, marching bands, floats, clowns and horses in Bloomingdale’s annual Septemberfest parade this Saturday, Sept. 6. The procession will begin at 11 a.m. from DuJardin School, 166 Euclid Ave. Watch as the queue heads west on Schick Road into Old Town on Bloomingdale Road.

Then the real fun begins. The day-long event features live entertainment, a craft fair, a motorcycle show, a classic car show, food vendors and a “transportation decorating contest.”
This year, kids younger than 15 are invited to decorate their bike, scooter, wagon or skateboard. Each participant will receive a ribbon.

The 36th annual event raises funds for the Septemberfest/Joe Draghi Memorial Scholarship Contest. For information, call (630) 671-5680. 

WDSRA events

Wheaton’s Memorial Park, 208 W. Union Ave., is the place to be from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7. The West DuPage Special Recreation Association is hosting Family Fest, which food, games, music and a magic show.

WDSRA is the award-winning cooperative extension of the Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Glen Ellyn, Naperville, Roselle, Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton and Winfield park districts. WDSRA provides more than 1,000 programs for more than 8,000 local residents of all ages with disabilities.

To support WDSRA, consider “doing lunch” Friday, Sept. 19, at Outback Steakhouse, 166 S. Gary Ave., Bloomingdale. Since the restaurant isn’t usually open for lunch, a Caesar salad, chicken or steak with cheese fries and cheesecake is a win-win. One hundred percent of the $25 lunch ticket benefits WDSRA.

This is “see and be seen” event. Last year, Rob Pauling of West Suburban Bank in Bloomingdale was sighted “doing lunch” at Outback. To purchase tickets for this year’s event, call (630) 681-0962.

National Preparedness

September is National Preparedness Month. The village of Glendale Heights encourages everyone to spend some time this month developing a personal emergency plan.

Find a checklist at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Web site, www.ready.gov.

Begin by assembling a kit of basic supplies, including water, non-perishable food, a flashlight and a first aid kit. Then, assemble important data such as phone numbers of family members, the day care center, the doctor’s office, and insurance policies. Finally, designate a place for family members to meet in the event of an emergency.

A little pro-active time in September may prove beneficial during a tornado, flood or winter snowstorm.