Space to sit and watch the 42nd Sycamore Pumpkin Festival parade had been staked out since last Wednesday, and for good reason.

Every year, families rope off sections of the curb along the parade route, days before the parade takes place to ensure a good view. For many families in Sycamore the parade is a long-time tradition.

One family had a sign in front of their section of curb that read: “We have had this spot for 20 years.”

“All the people of Sycamore attend; it is my favorite,” said Holly Reed, NIU student and Sycamore resident. She has been coming to see the parade since she was 1 year old and has been in it several times while she was growing up.

The Kishwaukee Barber Shop Chorus sang a cappella as they served elephant ears, fried, flat cakes covered in powdered sugar that are similar to funnel cakes, for the 25th year.

The tradition of the Pumpkin Festival parade had just begun for 2-year-old Libby Milner, so mesmerized by the passing floats that all she could say was, “It’s fun!”

While Halloween candy wasn’t offered because of the danger of kids running into the streets, residents were out with their children and dogs. Some of them participated in their first Pumpkin Festival this year.

This year’s theme was “Pumpkin Freedom,” which meant everything was red, white and blue.

“The parade was a success, but attendance was down a little because of the weather,” said Debbie Swedberg, advertising chair of the Pumpkin Festival board of directors.

The Sycamore Pumpkin Festival parade is the third largest parade in Illinois.

“I have been coming to Pumpkinfest for 33 years, and it has always been this big,” said Sycamore resident Noel Smith.

Smith said the weather gets colder every year, but the festivities still are great. He said the parade is a favorite of everyone who attends Pumpkin Festival. He rode in the parade on his bicycle, decorated with red, white, and blue steamers in the wheels and a horn on the handle bars.

Also present was Minne Minoso, retired White Sox player and Grand Marshal of the parade this year. Before the parade he signed autographs and posed for pictures with anyone who wanted them.

“I was surprised and happy when I was asked to come out here and do this. I enjoy being out with the people,” Minoso said. “It is an honor since not many people get to do this. I love to be with the people, it feels like they are a part of the family.”

The parade was two hours of hand-shaking politicians, painted pumpkins on trailers, painted faces and even Bigfoot the monster truck making a drive-through appearance. The NIU marching band, along with other school bands from DeKalb, Sycamore, Aurora and Kane, played in the parade. Most played patriotic songs or the respective school’s fight song.

The winning non-commercial float, submitted by Laidlaw Transit, was a flag built out of wood and painted pumpkins.

“Pumpkinfest has become what I had dreamed it would become,” said Wally Thurow, better known as “Mr. Pumpkin.”