Hoopeston Jaycees

04/19/2026

Photos from Post Prom 2026! 💃🕺🏀🍕🎮

Thank you to everyone who supported the event by donating prizes, food, and volunteered to provide this fun event full of playing & games to HAHS students on their prom night!

04/16/2026

The Outstanding Young Persons of Illinois Awards program (TOYP) recognizes individuals between the ages of 18 and 40 who exemplify the best attributes of young people from across Illinois. These young people come from many backgrounds and each excels in their chosen field, endeavors and show a great commitment to their respective communities.

Our chapter is extremely proud to announce that one of our own, Brad Hardcastle, has been honored as a 2026 TOYP Recipient in the category of humanitarian and/or voluntary leadership.

Brad is a System Administrator for METCAD 9-1-1, the consolidated dispatch center that answers emergency 9-1-1 calls for all of Champaign County and City Clerk for City of Hoppeston. He volunteers as an Auxiliary Officer for Hoopeston Police Department; member and Director of Hoopeston Emergency Management Agency; and the Hoopeston Jaycees where he has held several leadership roles including President, Treasurer and Chair of the National Sweetcorn Festival.

Through every role he has undertaken, and continues to actively serve as, Brad has demonstrated that service to humanity is not a single act, but a lifelong commitment. He continually uses his abilities to uplift others, strengthen institutions, and protect those around him. In doing so, he exemplifies the very heart of the JCI Creed, and stands as a model of what it means to truly make service the best work of life.

We are beyond grateful that we get to work beside him every day in our community!

04/04/2026

🥚 Thank you all for joining us this morning for the Easter Egg Hunt! A BIG shoutout to Autumn Fields Adult Community-Hoopeston for donating the bikes that were raffled off to two happy winners and to all who helped by donating candy, stuffing eggs, & volunteering this morning — the Jaycees & friends, Miss Hoopeston, John Greer Leadership Club, & Visit Downtown Hoopeston.
Happy Easter! 🌈🐰🐣 💐🪺

04/03/2026

Rain or shine, we’ll still see you tomorrow for the Easter Egg Hunt by the Hoopeston Jaycees!☀️🐰🪺

FREE EVENT!
🗓️ Saturday, April 4, 2026
⏰ 10:30 AM
📍 McFerren Park — Legion Shelter
☔️ Or for inclement weather, we’ll set up INSIDE the Civic Center
👧👦👦 Age groups: 0-4, 5-7, 8-10 years

Come join the fun with thousands of eggs! Candy, prizes, and of course, the Easter Bunny! 🐰🐣🍬

03/28/2026

Next weekend ➡️ Easter Egg Hunt by the Hoopeston Jaycees! ☀️🐰🪺

FREE EVENT!
🗓️ Saturday, April 4, 2026
⏰ 10:30 AM
📍 McFerren Park, Legion Shelter (south of Civic Center)
👧👦👦 Age groups: 0-4, 5-7, 8-10 years

Come join the fun with thousands of eggs! Candy, prizes, and of course, the Easter Bunny! 🐰🐣🍬

02/27/2026

A belated congratulations to all of our award recipients from the Hoopeston Community Awards Ceremony that was held on February 14, 2026 at the Lorraine Theatre! Thank you all for your efforts and dedication to the Hoopeston Area Community & beyond! 👏

👑 Miss Hoopeston 2026 — Anna Anderson
🏆 Legacy of Hoopeston — Louise Barten
🏆 Distinguished Service Award — Gabby Crose
⛈️ EMA Volunteer of the Year — Roy Kohl
🚒 HFD Firefighter of the Year — Jimmy Pajor
🚔 HPD Officer of the Year — Anthony Linares
🏥 Healthcare Worker of the Year — Martha Fry & Kelly Eells
🏆 Community Service Award — Visit Downtown Hoopeston

Photos by Jenna Nicole Photography 📸

02/13/2026

👑 Our 2026 Miss Hoopeston Candidates 👑

Tomorrow one of these lucky ladies will be crowned Miss Hoopeston 2026! Who are you cheering for? 🤩

Details:
Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026
The Lorraine Theatre
Doors open at 12:30 pm
Event begins at 1:00 pm
The Hoopeston Jaycees invite the community to the Lorraine Theatre on Saturday, February 14, 2026 to recognize the Hoopeston Community Award recipients for their accomplishments along with the selection & crowning of Miss Hoopeston 2026.

02/13/2026

🎉 The Community Awards & Miss Hoopeston 2026 Ceremony are just a couple of days away! We’re wishing all three of our Miss Hoopeston candidates the best of luck! 😃
Help your favorite contestant win the People’s Choice Award!
$1 = 1 vote 💌
Vote here ➡️ https://www.hoopestonjaycees.org/hoopeston/choice/

The contestant who receives the most votes will be awarded 50% of all the proceeds and the other half will go back to the Miss Hoopeston Program! 👑 Online voting will close Saturday, Feb. 14 at 12:00 PM!

02/06/2026

🗣️ Calling all Hoopeston Area volunteer groups! 🎉

The Hoopeston Jaycees would like to extend an invitation to you & your group to the Community Awards & Miss Hoopeston 2026 Ceremony so we can recognize you and give you an opportunity to promote upcoming events, invite new members in, and to briefly share a little bit about your group’s goals, mission, or purpose!
Please fill out this form so we know to expect you.
https://forms.gle/Aj4E3rWnWZcuKX75A

We look forward to your participation at this annual event to celebrate local volunteers and our community!
⭐️ Hoopeston Community Awards & Miss Hoopeston 2026 Ceremony
🗓️ Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026
⏰ 1:00 PM
📍 The Lorraine Theatre

The Hoopeston Jaycees would like to invite other Hoopeston Area community groups/organizations to the Hoopeston Community Awards & Miss Hoopeston 2026 Ceremony on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at the Lorraine Theater starting at 1:00 pm. If you or another representative of your group is interested in....

01/30/2026

REMINDER: Nominations close tomorrow! 🗳️

🗳️ The Hoopeston Jaycees are excited to announce that nominations for the 2025 Legacy of Hoopeston Award are NOW OPEN!
✨ Go to https://www.hoopestonjaycees.org and click the banner at the top to be directed to the nomination form.
🏆 This award, formerly known as “Citizen of the Year,” is for nominees that reside in the Hoopeston Area, are at least 42 years of age, and embody the Jaycees' motto -- "service to humanity is the best work of life!"

Nominations will close Saturday, January 31, 2026.

01/14/2026

🗳️ The Hoopeston Jaycees are excited to announce that nominations for the 2025 Legacy of Hoopeston Award are NOW OPEN!
✨ Go to https://www.hoopestonjaycees.org and click the banner at the top to be directed to the nomination form.
🏆 This award, formerly known as “Citizen of the Year,” is for nominees that reside in the Hoopeston Area, are at least 42 years of age, and embody the Jaycees' motto -- "service to humanity is the best work of life!"

Nominations will close Saturday, January 31, 2026.

01/06/2026

We’re less than a week away from our Miss Hoopeston 2026 informational meeting! 👑 If you’re interested in participating in our 2026 selection, DM us for details!

*Miss Hoopeston candidates must be graduates of Hoopeston Area High School - or will graduate in 2026 - who have turned 18 on or before August 1, 2026, and do not turn 21 before September 1, 2026.