Brian Bemis Auto Group recognized for providing parade cars

SYCAMORE – Amy Bemis remembers helping officials at the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival for as long as she can remember, which is at least 30 years.

Bemis, of the Brian Bemis Auto Group, said the automotive group provides as many vehicles as the festival needs each year. The company will be this year's Friend of the Festival, a title that goes to a company or organization that has helped Sycamore Pumpkin Festival in some capacity for free.

“It’s fun for everyone in the community,” Bemis said. “It brings in the holiday season. Everybody is just so happy that time of year.”

Brian Bemis was recognized with the honor for providing cars and convertibles that are used for the parade’s grand marshal every year for the past 10 to 12 years, said Sycamore Pumpkin Festival Committee President Jerry Malmassari. They typically provide three or four vehicles and drive the grand marshal through the parade before dropping them off somewhere within city limits, Malmassari said.

There is currently a waiting list of people the festival committee wants to name Friend of the Festival, Malmassari said. They give more credence to those who have helped for longer rather than newcomers, he said.

Brian Bemis Auto Group will receive a small plaque on Wednesday, Oct. 22, recognizing them as a Friend of the Festival. Their names already are etched onto a permanent display case at the Sycamore Public Library, 103 E. State St., which has a history of the festival theme winners and Friends of the Festival.

Typically someone is named Friend of the Festival only once, Malmassari said.

“There’s so many people who have helped us out on things that we just like to say thank you,” he said.

Bemis said she has served as driver in past years and has also helped out with floats. Her favorite part of the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival is seeing the pumpkins that children decorate in downtown Sycamore.

She said Brian Bemis Auto Group will continue to help out at the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival.

“We’re always willing to help when they ask us for any favors,” Bemis said.