Community Corner
Albert Wend Chosen as Grand Marshal of the 2023 Keepataw Day Parade
Lemont's Oldest Lifelong Resident Will Serve as the Leader of the Keepataw Day Parade on Sunday, September 3, 2023, in Downtown Lemont
The Lemont Keepataw Day Committee has announced that the Grand Marshal of the 2023 Keepataw Day Parade will be Mr. Al Wend, who has seen quite a few Keepataw Days in his lifetime. In keeping with this year’s parade theme of “Celebrating 150 Years of Lemont," the committee sought nominations for Lemont’s oldest lifelong resident to be Grand Marshal.
Wend was born in Lemont and has lived all of his 99 years here. He will turn 100 this January. Think about this – he has been a part of Lemont for two-thirds of our town’s history! Wend is also a lifelong member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, which will proudly salute him as the parade passes.
If the name “Wend” sounds familiar, the street with McDonald’s and the Lemont Public Library is named for his family. Wend’s grandparents settled in the area from Germany in the 1880s. They soon opened a hotel and restaurant, a fixture in downtown Lemont for over a century.
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Al was born in 1924 in the Wend home and was delivered by Dr. John Ludwig. He was the youngest of five children born to Emil and Wilhelmina Wend. He grew up working in the family business. Then, when World War II broke out, Wend and his brothers served in the Navy – Al on a ship in the Pacific Theater.
He later returned home and married his beloved wife, Jean. They raised two children, David and Karen, in Lemont, and the name Wend is forever entwined with our community. In fact, the Keepataw Day Parade runs in the family too. Al’s father was Grand Marshall in 1978 at the age of 100.
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Congratulations and a heartfelt thanks to the Grand Marshal of the 71st annual Lemont Keepataw Day Parade, Mr. Albert Wend!
The Keepataw Day Parade and Fun Fest is scheduled to take place in downtown Lemont on Sunday, September 3, 2023. The parade will kick off at 1 p.m., and the fun fest will follow directly afterward. The fun fest will feature live bands, food and beverage vendors, a craft market, many kids' activities, and more.
Additionally, 95.9 "The River" will broadcast LIVE from the Keepataw Fun Fest from 4 to 6 pm and will be offering chances to win tickets to an upcoming Queen & Adam Lambert show at the United Center on October 30, 2023.
For more information, visit http://www.lemontkeepataw.com/
