Heat waves start to show at 8 a.m. as the pack leads the way at the start Wednesday at The Great Western Freedom 4 road race at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve in St. Charles.

John Starks | Staff Photographer

Dan Morgan, a senior at Burlington Central High School, stretches Wednesday before the start of The Great Western Freedom 4 road race at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve in St. Charles. He said his goal was only to have fun.

John Starks | Staff Photographer

Base drummer Alex Miller can hardly see the crowd around his drum Wednesday at the South Elgin Fourth of July parade. He plays with the South Elgin High School marching band.

John Starks | Staff Photographer

The South Elgin High School cheerleaders march over the Fox River bridge Wednesday at the South Elgin Fourth of July parade.

John Starks | Staff Photographer

The Crystal Lake Strikers Drumline marching percussion unit performs Wednesday at Elgin Fourth of July parade.

John Starks | Staff Photographer

The South Elgin marching band performs Wednesday at Elgin Fourth of July parade.

John Starks | Staff Photographer

The crowd stands and applauds as the American Flag passes Wednesday at Elgin Fourth of July parade.

John Starks | Staff Photographer

The Vernon Hills Park District poms and cheer perform for the crowd during the Vernon Hills Fourth of July Parade Wednesday morning on Deerpath Drive.

Steve Lundy | Staff Photographer

The Vernon Hills Fourth of July Parade kicked off Wednesday morning winding down Deerpath and Atrium Drives.

Steve Lundy | Staff Photographer

Five-year-old Clara Sheridan of Vernon Hills shows off her decorated bike as she participates in the Vernon Hills Fourth of July Parade Wednesday morning.

Steve Lundy | Staff Photographer

Four-year-old Maddy Gardner, left, and 3-year-old Olivia Altergott, both of Wauconda wave as the Vernon Hills Fourth of July Parade kicked off Wednesday morning winding down Deerpath and Atrium Drives.

Steve Lundy | Staff Photographer

Eight-year-old Natalie Gorgius of Island Lake is decked out in red, white and blue during the Island Lake Fourth of July Community Picnic at Veterans Park Wednesday.

Steve Lundy | Staff Photographer

Three-year-old Audrey Fox of Island Lake enjoys a hot dog during the Island Lake Fourth of July Community Picnic Veterans Park Wednesday.

Steve Lundy | Staff Photographer

Lifeguard Robert Biedron dons a festive hat at Lincolnshire's Red White and Boom 2012 event Wednesday at Spring Lake Park.

Steve Lundy | Staff Photographer

Racers dash for the water during a cardboard boat regatta at Lincolnshire's Red White and Boom 2012 event Wednesday at Spring Lake Park.

Steve Lundy | Staff Photographer

12-year-old Sahsa Pinchuk, left, and 14-year-old Naomie Lapointe, both of Lincolnshire compete in a cardboard boat regatta as Lincolnshire held their Red White and Boom 2012 event on Wednesday at Spring Lake Park.

Steve Lundy | Staff Photographer

Left to right are cousins Izabella Nelson-Carrillo, 6, Cailyn Nelson-Teague, 4 and Alaina Nelson-Carrillo, 4, with Charles Teague of Aurora enjoying the 4th of July parade in Aurora on Wednesday.

Bev Horne | Staff Photographer

Ethan Greiff, 4, of Aurora, cheers the start of the 4th of July parade in Aurora on Wednesday.

Bev Horne | Staff Photographer

Emerson Massie, 5, of Aurora, cools off in a fountain sculpture along Benton Avenue while waiting for the 4th of July parade in Aurora on Wednesday.

Bev Horne | Staff Photographer

Austin Cure, 8, of Bolingbrook cools off with a snow cone at the Taste of Lombard on Wednesday.

Bev Horne | Staff Photographer

Madison Turek, 4 of Lombard, plays the Derby Race game with her grandma Irene Turek at the Taste of Lombard on Wednesday.

Bev Horne | Staff Photographer

Anthony Weaser, 8 and his sister Adrianna, 4, of Lombard, find some shade to have their lemon ices during the Taste of Lombard on Wednesday.

Bev Horne | Staff Photographer

Janet Alman of Wheaton uses a big umbrella for shade while watching the 4th of July parade in Glen Ellyn on Wednesday with her kids, left to right, Sarah, 3, Jacob, 6 and Ashley, 3.

Bev Horne | Staff Photographer

Michael Chrissy from Gigi's Playhouse throws out some candy as he and Erin Gunsteen with Emmett Gunsteen, 2, take part in the 4th of July parade in Glen Ellyn on Wednesday.

Bev Horne | Staff Photographer

Natalie Snow, 7, of Wheaton, gets a shady spot in her wagon to watch the 4th of July parade in Glen Ellyn on Wednesday.

Bev Horne | Staff Photographer

Jason Wendt of Arlington Heights shades is son, Lucas, 2, with an umbrella as the watch the Mount Prospect Fourth of July parade Wednesday.

JOE LEWNARD | Staff Photographer

Jack Fitzgerald, 5, of Mount Prospect, aims a fan at his cousin, Tyler Fitzgerald, 3, of Schaumburg, as he helps him cool off during the Mount Prospect Fourth of July parade Wednesday.

JOE LEWNARD | Staff Photographer

Jack Morman, 7, originally of Mount Prospect and now living in Denver, fans himself while waiting for the arrival of the next parade group during the Mount Prospect Fourth of July parade Wednesday. He comes back every year to watch the parade and visit family.

JOE LEWNARD | Staff Photographer

The Prospect High School marching band and flag team pass during the Mount Prospect Fourth of July parade Wednesday.

JOE LEWNARD | Staff Photographer

Fire engines pass during the Des Plaines Fourth of July parade Wednesday.

JOE LEWNARD | Staff Photographer

Philip Holzer, 13, helps carry the American Flag while marching with Boy Scout Troop 160 during the Des Plaines Fourth of July parade Wednesday.

JOE LEWNARD | Staff Photographer

Governor Pat Quinn greets Joel Long of Des Plaines during the Des Plaines Fourth of July parade Wednesday.

JOE LEWNARD | Staff Photographer

Allison Mulhern of Palatine has fun on a ride with her son, Peter, and her friend's daughter, Brianna Holmes, both 5-years-old, during the Palatine Jaycees Hometown Fest Wednesday.

JOE LEWNARD | Staff Photographer

Aiden Yang, 5, of Palatine takes advantage of the spray of a cooling station during the Palatine Jaycees Hometown Fest Wednesday.

JOE LEWNARD | Staff Photographer

Karolina Sen, 2, of Palatine catches a toy shark with the help of her dad, Piotr, during the Palatine Jaycees Hometown Fest Wednesday.

JOE LEWNARD | Staff Photographer

Emily Fagan, 5, of Bartlett in the extreme heat competes in the 40 lb weight division class tractor pull at the Bartlett Fourth of July festival on Wednesday.