What's new with Fox Valley fireworks shows this year
On the Fourth of July, the Fox Valley region will be full of patriotism, pride, and powder - gunpowder, that is, which will fill the skies of Batavia, Elgin, Sleepy Hollow, Huntley, and St. Charles.
The city of Elgin will begin the day at 9 a.m. Saturday with its annual Fourth of July parade. The theme this year is American Pastimes. Mike Alft, former mayor, teacher and historian, will bring his nearly 90 years of life experience as the parade's grand marshal.
The parade will lead into the Americana Jubilee at Side Street Studio Arts in downtown Elgin. There, attendees can participate in kids' games, pie-eating contests, and bake offs.
But that's not even the best part, said Deirdre White, executive director of the Downtown Neighborhood Association.
"What is really great is that downtown Elgin will be open for business," White said. "We're really excited about that. It will be bustling after the parade."
Live music will begin at 5:30 p.m. in Elgin's Festival Park, hosted by the Grand Victoria Casino. Acts include Herman's Hermits, Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, and Gary Lewis and the Playboys.
Fireworks will follow at around 9:30 p.m. and spectators can purchase seats in the Riverside Promenade or view elsewhere.
Scott Gelman of One Eleven Productions said the company plans to provide fireworks that would blow old shows out of the water.
"When I was a kid, you'd see one firework at a time," Gelman said. "This company does explosions to start, explosions throughout, and a giant explosion at the end, with lots of moving parts in the sky."
About 10 miles downstream, St. Charles plans to celebrate at Pottawatomie Park. Holly Cabel, director of the parks and recreation department, said she is excited to bring activities like miniature golf and swimming to visitors.
The Fox Valley Concert Band will take the stage in the amphitheater at 4 p.m. Soon after, Hello Dave will perform in the historic pavilion at 6:30. The band's set will conclude at nightfall as fireworks begin around 9:30 p.m.
"We're definitely looking forward to it. In past years, there might have been drought concerns, but definitely not this year," Cabel said.
Five miles down the road, in Batavia, organizers plan a similar event to last year's festivities. Food vendors will open and live music will begin at 5 p.m. at Engstrom Park. The fireworks show starts at 9:30 p.m.
There is a $5 donation for parking at both high school parking lots off Wilson and Main, the Ace Hardware parking lot and the Wilson Business Center on West Wilson Street. Parking at the Batavia Covenant Church off Main Street will be marked and reserved for vehicles carrying handicapped stickers.
Det. Kevin Bretz of the Batavia Police Department said he hopes the up to 25,000 attendees can remain calm and composed after the display.
"We just ask people to have patience after the fireworks, knowing traffic will be held (for 15 minutes) after the event," Bretz said. "Some people don't get that every year the streets will be used as sidewalks. Other than that, we want everyone to come back and have some fun."
On the north end of the Fox Valley, Huntley will host its celebration at a new location. Previously held at Huntley Outlet Mall, this year's fireworks display will be at Deicke Park where visitors will find about 2,000 parking spots.
"(Deicke) is a beautiful park," said Barb Read, the village's special events coordinator. "We invite people to bring blankets to picnic out in the park. It's right in the center of town. It's just going to be lovely venue."
The day will begin at 8 a.m. with the normal Saturday farmers market in the Huntley Municipal Complex, but will turn into family fun day with a craft fair and kids' activities. A new addition to the celebration is bingo hosted by the Huntley Chamber of Commerce.
"It's going to be a great family event for anybody who attends," Read said. "We're pretty excited about it. Everybody should just come to Huntley."
Sleepy Hollow's fireworks display will be at 9:15 p.m. at Sabatino Park; Friday's Neighbor section will have more details about the village's celebration.
For information, visit www.downtownelgin.com, www.grandvictoriacasino.com, www.huntley.il.us, www.stcparks.org, www.shsc-il.org and www.cityofbatavia.net