Mystery Judges Pick Best of Mokena's July 4 Parade

The wait is over to find out who made the "Best Of" awards for the July 4 parade the group put on, but the folks who picked the winners might never be known.

This year, the chamber debuted "mystery judges" who would secretly rank the entries in the parade.

"So rather than have judges stand at the announcers' stand where the entries would put on their best show and that was kind of it, we had mystery judges throughout the parade route, which was kind of a fun thing so I think we'll keep doing that," said parade chairwoman Cindy Gamboa.

The winners, announced during Monday night's village board meeting, were:

• Best Marching Band:
• Best Advertising: Curtain Call Community Theater
• Best Motorized Entry: American Legion Riders Chapter 615
• Best In Keeping With the Theme:
• Best Antique Entry: Northern Illinois Chapter of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association 
• Judge's Choice Award:
• Best Float:
• Theme Winner: Christina Bettenhausen from Precise Tree Care

Watch the presentation of awards here, including a surprise award for one organizer, either by clicking to "Chamber of Commerce July 4th parade winners" under Discover Mokena or going to the 1:43 mark.