Wheeling bringing back fireworks, Independence Day celebration

Heritage Park construction won't deprive Wheeling of a Fourth of July celebration this year.

On July 3 the village will sponsor a party near village hall, south of Dundee Road, to celebrate the nation's independence, Village President Dean Argiris announced Monday night.

Attractions will include a fireworks show and live music, and Argiris urged people to bring picnic baskets and blankets to sit on the lawn “Ravinia style.”

Patti and Harry Reinhart and their band Midnight will perform, he added.

Village Manager Jon Sfondilis said the event will cost $30,000, but the village plans to get funding from corporate sponsors.

“The idea came up last week to find something to bridge the gap between what we did last year, which was nothing, and waiting two years until we can have another Freedom Fest,” said Sfondilis.

The event will take place from 6-10 p.m. on the lawn by village hall and the headquarters of Wheeling Park District, with the site of the former Wickes Furniture also involved.

“There will be no vendors,” said Argiris. “It's really meant to be a family night out under the stars.”

The village chose not to mark the Fourth of July last year because of a $29-million project to improve flood control and renovate Heritage Park.