From Racine4thFest
Kenneth G. Weill 1917 – 1977
Kenneth G. Weill was known to many as “Mr. Parade”. Weill had been associated with Goodwill, Inc., producers of Racine’s annual 4th of July celebration for 28 years, 3 years as its president and 12 years as its parade chairman. As parade chairman, Weill planned, organized, coordinated and nursed this grand procession which, at times, numbered over 5000 marchers and well over 100 assorted units.
During his tenure as parade chairman, Weill was able to devote the entire month of June to his parade activities, due to the generosity and civic mindedness of his employer of 34 years, Jacobsen Manufacturing Company. He last worked as service development manager and, prior to working in management, served as president of Local 556. For many years, Weill found time to serve as co-chairman of the annual Jacobsen employees’ picnic. He retired in June of 1976 due to ill health.
For his contributions to the Goodwill 4th of July celebration, the board of directors of Goodwill, Inc., named Weill Mr. Goodwill in 1975.
In 1978, a year after Weill’s death, the board created a memorial award presented by the judges to the float they considered the best of the best, the Kenneth G. Weill Prize Trophy.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1978 | S.C. Johnson |
| 1979 | J. I. Case Company |
| 1980 | Walker Manufacturing Company |
| 1981 | S.C. Johnson |
| 1982 | Twin Disc Incorporated |
| 1983 | S.C. Johnson |
| 1984 | S.C. Johnson |
| 1985 | Walker Manufacturing Company |
| 1986 | Modine Manufacturing Company |
| 1987 | S.C. Johnson |
| 1988 | Walker Manufacturing Company |
| 1989 | Modine Manufacturing Company |
| 1990 | Surgitek |
| 1991 | S.C. Johnson |
| 1992 | Modine Manufacturing Company |
| 1993 | Modine Manufacturing Company |
| 1994 | Modine Manufacturing Company |
| 1995 | Modine Manufacturing Company |
| 1996 | Modine Manufacturing Company |
| 1997 | Modine Manufacturing Company |
| 1998 | In-Sink-Erator |
| 1999 | Modine Manufacturing Company |
| 2000 | Twin Disc Incorporated |
| 2001 | Twin Disc Incorporated |
| 2002 | S.C. Johnson |
| 2003 | In-Sink-Erator |
| 2004 | S.C. Johnson |
| 2005 | S.C. Johnson |
| 2006 | Modine Manufacturing Company |
| 2007 | Modine Manufacturing Company |
| 2008 | Johnson- A Family of Companies |
| 2009 | Johnson- A Family of Companies |
| 2010 | Snap On |
