Buffalo Grove Days Parade 2026 ‘Good people come out of Lake County’
- Chicago Tribune
- 07/09/2026 19.30 GMT+7
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The Buffalo Grove Days Parade for 2026 took place under overcast skies at nearly 80 degrees, with a parade route leading to Mike Rylko Community Park.
The Sept. 5 lineup on Saturday morning included approximately 60 parade units. The 2026 parade grand marshal was the Buffalo Grove Symphonic Band (BGSB), celebrating 25 years of music.
Founding Music Director Howard Green of Buffalo Grove has recently retired, and the BGSB is seeking its next music director and conductor.
Green appeared in the parade, waving a conductor’s baton to spectators from a vehicle’s open roof.
“It’s the first time in my life that I’ve done something like this,” Green said, smiling.
“I’m very proud,” Green added, about the orchestra as an organization. See https://www.vbg.org/163/Buffalo-Grove-Symphonic-Band.
The Village of Buffalo Grove and the Buffalo Grove Park District produce Buffalo Grove Days. The free five-day event began Thursday, Sept. 3, through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7, at Mike Rylko Community Park.
“The food and beverage selection this year is fantastic,” said Michael Terson, superintendent of communications and marketing for the Buffalo Grove Park District. “And every band in our lineup this year is a can’t-miss.”
Among the extended Labor Day weekend offerings were games, a carnival, music, bingo and more. For the Kim family of Buffalo Grove, the festival’s parade is a tradition.
On the Deerfield Parkway parade route, James and Julie Kim were parade spectators with their children Chloe, 9, a fourth-grader and Celine, 4. James Kim grew up in Buffalo Grove and is of the Adlai E. Stevenson High School Class of 2004.
About the parade tradition for family, James Kim said, “This is great.
“I was here when I was young, and now my kids when they’re young,” the girls’ father said. “Lake County is safe, a lot of good stuff around for kids.
“I feel comfortable here,” James Kim added. “I know it’s clean, everything is well set up, nothing has ever disappointed us in any ways.”
Buffalo Grove Community Pageant (BGCP) 2026 Queens are, from left to right are Little Miss: Avni Aggarwal, Junior Miss: Diya Mathan, Miss Buffalo Grove Saachi Churiwala, 16, of Buffalo Grove and a junior at Adlai E. Stevenson High School and Teen Miss: Reha Sachdev, at the Buffalo Grove Days Parade on Sept. 5, 2026 in Buffalo Grove. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
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Buffalo Grove Community Pageant (BGCP) 2026 Queens are, from left to right are Little Miss: Avni Aggarwal, Junior Miss: Diya Mathan, Miss Buffalo Grove Saachi Churiwala, 16, of Buffalo Grove and a junior at Adlai E. Stevenson High School and Teen Miss: Reha Sachdev, at the Buffalo Grove Days Parade on Sept. 5, 2026 in Buffalo Grove. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
ExpandBuffalo Grove Police Therapy Dog Grady, an American Labradoodle, said hello to partners John Griffel and Tiffany Golladay of Prairie View at the corner of Buffalo Grove Road and Deerfield Parkway. The Griffel children also met Grady, including Charli, 6, a first-grader; Zane, 8, a third-grader; Cheyenne, 7, a second-grader; and Braydin, 3.
Opportunities such as personal meet-and-greets with first responders and community group representatives were plentiful. High fives were a must for many.
To parade and festival organizers, Tiffany Golladay said, “Thank you so much for doing this for them (children).”
About Lake County, “It’s amazing,” Golladay added.
John Griffel then said about Lake County, “Love the schools, love the area, nice walks, the kids can play in the areas with no issues, the parks are great.”
Griffel is from Gurnee and of the Warren Township High School Class of 2000.
“Lake County, I grew up and was raised here,” Griffel said. “Good people come out of Lake County.”
Appearing in the parade in an open convertible were the Buffalo Grove Community Pageant (BGCP) 2026 Queens Little Miss: Avni Aggarwal, Junior Miss: Diya Mathan, Miss Buffalo Grove Saachi Churiwala, 16, of Buffalo Grove and a junior at Adlai E. Stevenson High School and Teen Miss: Reha Sachdev.
Miss Buffalo Grove Saachi Churiwala said about representing Buffalo Grove and its importance in Lake County, “I think it’s a fantastic place, I’m so grateful for this community that has done so much for me.
“I’m so grateful for the schools, for the public facilities, and just the opportunity and the platform that the pageant has given me, as well as the Buffalo Grove community,” Churiwala added.
Buffalo Grove Village President and Mayor Eric Smith also appeared on the parade route.
“This parade is always great,” Smith said. “It’s a tradition we have on Labor Day.
“I love it,” Smith said. “I love Buffalo Grove.”
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.