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player ready...APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR JAYCEES LABOR DAY PARADE
Applications are are being accepted through Aug. 10 for entries in this year’s Naperville Jaycee’s Labor Day parade, which is the largest in the state.
The parade will take place at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 7, in downtown Naperville. It has been a town staple for more than 60 years and recognizes trade and labor organizations, city employees, schools and local businesses, a news release said.
It’s among the events held as part of the Last Fling Labor Day festivities, the Naperville Jaycee’s largest fundraiser, which this year will be held Sept. 4-7 and includes music, food, a carnival, business expo and other activities and entertainment.
Fees for parade participation are discounted an entry is submitted before July 17. For an application, parade route or to become a sponsor, go to www.lastfling.org/parade.
NAPERVILLE STUDENTS NAMED SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
Two Naperville students were among more than 750 winners of National Merit Scholarships financed by colleges and universities, the National Merit Scholarship Corp. announced.
College-sponsored awards range from $500 to $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study.
Naperville North High School graduate Ethan Jiazhou Chen, of Naperville, received an award from the University of Southern California, where he plans to study finance.
Metea Valley High School graduate Claire A. Leung, of Naperville, received an award from Michigan State University, where she will study environmental engineering.
This year, 138 colleges and universities sponsored more than 3,250 merit scholarships awards across 42 states and the District of Columbia, a news release said. This is the final announcement of National Merit Scholar designees for the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Corp. awards. Several other Naperville-area students were announced as scholarship recipients earlier this year.
HUMMINGBIRD PROGRAMS AT HIDDEN OAKS CENTER
Hidden Oaks Nature Center will be featuring the hummingbird in two programs being offered at the Bolingbrook facility.
Starting Aug.1, visitors can view artwork by local artist and actor Jeff C. Zarinelli. His traditional painting techniques capture the energy and beauty of hummingbirds in motion, according to a Forest Preserve District of Will County news release.
Visitors can view Zarinelli’s art for free from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays until Oct. 31.
The nature center, 419 Trout Farm Road, will also offer a chance to watch hummingbirds during business hours on its green roof. There will be hummingbird feeders both on its roof and grounds, the release said, and there will be fun facts and self-guided activities included.
Rooftop Hummingbird Hangout is free and will be available Aug. 1 through Sept. 30.
No advanced registration is needed. For more information, go to www.reconnectwithnature.org.