Glendale Heights leaders praise Founders Day volunteers as staff report roughly 55,000 total festival visitors

Mayor Giannelli opened the July 16 village board meeting by thanking the Founders Day committee and village staff for running the community festival and presenting a public‑private partnership plaque received from a partner organization.

Jessica Marasich, a recreation department staff member and Founders Day committee participant, introduced volunteers and staff who helped stage the multi‑day event and said putting on the festival “takes a village,” listing departments from public works to parks and the senior center.

David Ratkovich, director for ETS, told the board that staff tracked gate counts and estimated festival attendance at roughly 55,000 people: “we had a total of 35,459 people that came through the gates across the fest,” and staff estimated another “18,000 that went through in either side lanes or were outside of that fest,” producing the approximate total. He said a fuller after‑action report with detailed metrics will be delivered in about 30 days.

Beau Cicerica, assistant director of ETS, presented the commemorative plaque and offered lighthearted remarks about the festival’s security and a humorous “souvenir” display showing confiscated items at the gates. The board and partners thanked festival staff and volunteers for logistics and public‑safety coordination.

Mayor Giannelli emphasized the event’s family‑focused reputation and called the festival a safe gathering for residents and visitors; she encouraged anyone with feedback to contact the village as staff complete assessments for future improvements.

The village will publish the after‑action report and fuller attendance metrics once staff complete their review.