Lake Forest-Lake Bluff History Museum

Tradition and Celebration: Lake Forest Day

Making It Home

Lake Forest Day 1999.

Lake Forest Day is a popular time to have school reunions including this one taking place in 1976.

Lake Forest Day 1955 honoring Dr. Proxmire.

Larry Crone and Floyd Swarthout, Sr. with the grand prize car on August 4, 1976.

Left to right: Kay Kerrigan Weston, Ginnie Haake Parker, Audrey Henriksen Semmelman in 1986 celebrating their 35th reunion for the Lake Forest High School class of 1951.

The first Lake Forest Day in 1908 included a hot air balloon ascension, a cutest baby contest, a mind reading dog and a vaudeville show. Proceeds from the event, organized by the Lake Forest Woman’s Club, were directed for the construction of a Contagious Hospital later built in South Park.

American Legion Post 264 took over the event in 1921. This annual celebration, held on the first Wednesday of August has changed over the years to reflect local interests, national events and cultural shifts. Some of the features included greased pig contests, silent movies, stunt flyers, boxing matches motorcycle races, and dancing at West Park.

A special parade was held in 1955 to honor 50 years of medical service by Dr. Theodore S. Proxmire. Dr. Proxmire delivered over 5,000 babies during the five-decade period. Hundreds of babies that he had delivered, some of them middle aged by that time, marched in the parade together.

Starting in 1938, the American Legion post chose a theme for Lake Forest Day. With the advent of WWII, the themes became more patriotic such as "Home Defense," "Prelude to Victory," and "On to Tokyo."