2025 Harvest Time Parade

Sunday, October 5th: 1pm

LOCATION: Downtown Oregon, IL

COMMERCIAL UNIT ENTRY FEE: $50/unit

EACH INDIVIDUAL POLITICAL PARTY: $50/unit

NOT-FOR-PROFIT ENTRY: no charge

Find parade entry forms here.

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The 54th annual AOP Harvest Time Parade, themed "Carving Creativity" will be held on Sunday, October 5th, starting at 1pm! The parade will feature hired entertainment as well as local marching bands, scouts, unique acts, local businesses, and so much more. We look forward to seeing spectators of all ages fill the streets!

Unit of Honor & Guest of Honor: TBA

Thank you to E.D. Etnyre, Autumn on Parade’s 2024 Presenting Sponsor!

Reserve your seat as early as Sunday morning by setting out chairs/blankets along our parade route. To maintain a safe viewing distance, please stay behind the curb during the entirety of the Harvest Time Parade.

Please Note: during the parade there will not be in/out access from any of our handicapped parking lots, and several side streets will be enclosed by the parade route. Refer to the map above to plan accordingly.

AOP Committee Selects Habitat for Humanity as 2024 Unit of Honor

“Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes,
communities, and hope.” This is the mission of this year’s AOP Unit of Honor, Habitat for Humanity.
Their vision further describes “A world where everyone has a decent place to live.”

Ogle County Habitat was established in 2002, is operated locally, and led by a board of directors
comprised of Ogle County volunteers. This dedicated and loyal to their cause group of citizens are
passionate about their service towards the betterment of living conditions of those who struggle.
Families are chosen on a case-by-case basis and commit to investing sweat equity to improve their
housing situation. Funded by grants, public donations, fund raising efforts, and Gifts of InKind
professional labor and materials helps ease the burden of large mortgages for the family chosen to
receive this blessing. These components are mixed with tremendous volunteer efforts which have built
homes through the years in Byron, Forreston, Mt. Morris, Oregon, Polo, and Rochelle. 2024 marks their
15 th build, this time in Davis Junction. Critical home repairs are provided through their “Brush with
Kindness” program.

“Autumn on Parade is proud of this community minded group of volunteers. We are grateful as well for
their many years of volunteer partnership assisting with AOP traffic control, security, and parking lot
monitoring during our event weekend” said Destini Benesh, AOP Vice President and Parade Chair. “We
consider it a huge win-win scenario when two entities such as ours come together for the good of the
whole. It also allows Autumn on Parade the opportunity to donate back to a worthy cause and pay it
forward in continuing service to our community.”
Be sure to let these folks know their efforts are seen and appreciated as they pass by your parade seating area on Sunday, October 6 th !

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Stan Eden selected as 2024 AOP Guest of Honor

Who says a farmer is just “a guy on a tractor?!” Not any of the folks in our agricultural community,
especially those connected to Autumn on Parade. Stan Eden, long time Ogle County resident, has been
chosen for the second time as AOP Guest of Honor and will ride tall and proud on one of his favorite 4-
wheelers up front and center of the 2024 annual Harvest Time Parade. “Everything Stan has done and
continues to do throughout our community- be it related to farming and crops, the county fair, his
church, AOP, the Oregon VFW, the list goes on, makes him more than deserving of round two of
recognition!” said Debbie Dickson, President of Autumn on Parade.

This humble guy never talks of himself or of his daily behind the scenes support throughout the
community. With a BS in General Agriculture, a Masters in Extension Education, and an Advanced
Certificate in Education, all through the University of Illinois, Stan returned to Ogle County after serving
our country in the armed forces, where he invested himself in the rebuilding a war-ravaged South Korea.
He is a life member of V.F.W. Post 8739 and actively participates in their Color Guard.

Mr. Eden received numerous awards throughout his 42-year career recognizing his outstanding service
and leadership. A few on the list include: National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA)
Distinguished Service Award, 30-year service award from Ogle County Farm Bureau, Ogle County Farm
Visit Day Charter Member and 25-year Participant Award. He continues to volunteer for farming
programs including the Ogle County 4-H Group, the Ogle County Fair Association, the Oregon FFA Alumni
Association, and is a long-time AOP committee member and reigning Antique Tractor Show Chair.
In his spare time, Stan enjoys photography, gardening, antique tractors- long time Chair of that AOP
event, and spending time with his grandkids.
Wave and give Stan the thumbs up as he rumbles past you along the parade route on Sunday, October 6th!