DeKALB | DeKalb County residents may be seeing Huskies in other places than just on the NIU campus.

The DeKalb County board is considering the program Huskies on Parade, which will put Huskie statues on display in both DeKalb and Sycamore this fall. Huskies on Parade is in its beginning stages and still needs to figure out the finances. The budget has yet to be fixed.

Susan Johnson, chairperson of the Huskies on Parade committee, said she has been thinking of the idea for the last two years.

“This is the year,” Johnson said. “Huskies are the right idea as a result of Feb. 14.”

Jennifer Groce, member of the Huskies on Parade committee and executive director of Re:New DeKalb, said it is a great “communiversity” idea. Since Feb. 14, Groce said the idea has become more heightened.

“It’s a good time for the community,” Groce said.

The committee is still negotiating with the company that will be making the Huskies’ fiberglass forms.

The Huskies will be base-coated, then painted.

Johnson said business owners should be decorating the Huskie statues with some aspect of DeKalb.

DeKalb Fourth Ward Alderwoman Donna Gorski said the Huskie is a source of pride to the community.

Gorski said that she would like to see DeKalb County and NIU joined together with a Huskie decorated with barbed wire.

It is still unknown whether sponsors, professional artists or community member will decorate the Huskies.

“I’d rather see the community come forward, get creative and to get involved,” Gorski said. “The opportunity to involve the community is more valuable.”

Gorski also said that Huskies on Parade will recognize how DeKalb County and NIU were both affected by Feb. 14.

“It’s a great way to show pride to the university,” Groce said.