The Illinois State Fair announced Illinois’ longest serving Secretary of State Jesse White will serve as the Grand Marshal for the Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade, on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
White was first elected to the office in 1998, becoming Illinois’ 37th Secretary of State.
He had a long career in the legislature and he played professional baseball for seven seasons with the Chicago Cubs organization.
PARADE ROUTE
The Twilight Parade is Thursday with the route that begins in Lincoln Park.
It will head north through the park to Sangamon Avenue and then head east to the fairgrounds’ Main Gate and into the fairgrounds. Staging for the parade will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the park.
The parade route will close to traffic at 4 p.m., and detour signs along North Grand Avenue and Veterans and J. David Jones parkways will be in place. The Parade Run begins at 5 p.m. and the parade itself at 5:30.The route is expected to remain closed until 9 p.m.
No public parking will be available for parade viewing in Lincoln Park or the Nelson Center.
Patrons of the Nelson Center will be able to access the center using the intersection of Third Street and Black Avenue.