SYCAMORE – The Sycamore Pumpkin Festival Committee has selected Denis Jagodzinski as the 2012 Friend of the Festival.

Jagodzinski was born and raised in northern Illinois. The only time he left was to join the US Air Force, serving as a military policeman in Vietnam, the Philippines and Minot ND. He was discharged and moved to Rockford, where he worked for the Winnebago County Sheriffs Department. In 1979, Jagodzinski changed careers, joined American Family Insurance and moved to Sycamore. He is married to Jill and has two  children and two stepchildren.

Jagodzinski enjoys being active in the community as a member of the Sycamore Sportsman’s Club, Vietnow, VFW and Kiwanis. He is a past member of the Sycamore Jaycees and served as parade chairman in 1996 for the 35th parade.