Jesse White named grand marshal of Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White will serve as the grand marshal for the 2022 Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade Aug. 11.

The fair announced Friday that White will head the annual parade kicking off the 11-day celebration of Illinois at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Last year's Twilight Parade was canceled because of severe thunderstorms and power outages across much of Springfield's north side.

White is retiring after serving as as secretary of state since 1999. Prior to his days in statewide office, he served six years as the Cook County recorder of deeds after 16 years in the Illinois General Assembly.

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He had already been a strident advocate for his community in Chicago, having formed the Jesse White Tumblers and having served in the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division. He even played seven years in the Chicago Cubs organization ‒ although he never played a single major league game.

Fair Manager Rebecca Clark said the fair is excited to see White lead the parade along with his famous team of tumblers, long an attraction at the parade and fair.

"We are thrilled to have Jesse White kick off the 2022 Twilight Parade," Clark said. "His years of participation in this parade with the famous Jesse White Tumbling Team has wowed children and adults for years. His participation this year embodies our 'Grow With Us'theme."

Gov. JB Pritzker said he was proud to join White in leading the parade across the front entrance of the fairgrounds.

"From his time in the U.S. Army, to inspiring our youth with decades of public service, his example should be celebrated throughout the state of Illinois," Pritzker said. "I couldn't be prouder to join this great Illinoisan in leading the Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade."

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Illinois State Fair 2022: Jesse White named Twilight Parade grand marshal