Fox Valley communities ready for Fourth of July fests

Events such as parades, free concerts, pie-eating contests and fireworks give Fourth of July festivals in the Fox Valley a small-town feel, even when there are several thousand people celebrating.

The Daily Herald checked in with several communities to find out what's happening on the Fourth.

Batavia

Batavia's "Sky Concert" on Monday provides an opportunity for residents to come out to Engstrom Park, 326 Millview Drive, to enjoy some food, music and, of course, the fireworks.

"It's the biggest event in Batavia year after year," Second Ward Alderman Marty Callahan said. "It's definitely one of the big memory makers for everybody in town."

At 5 p.m., people can begin the celebration with food such as pulled pork, barbecue, Mexican food, funnel cakes, popcorn and more. We're Not, a cover band playing hits from the 1970s to today, will perform from 6 to 8 p.m. The Batavia Community Band takes the stage from 8:15 p.m. up until the fireworks start.

Each year, the "Sky Concert" has a different theme with music to go along with the show. This year's theme is "Flag and Country" because it's the 100th anniversary of Flag Day. The theme is also a nod to Batavia resident Bernard Cigrand, known as the "Father of Flag Day" because of his dedication to having June 14 proclaimed Flag Day.

Fundraisers and donations fund the annual fireworks show, according to officials.

"We've run scarce a few years with not enough money, but we've always come through with the generosity of residents and businesses every year," Callahan said.

For details, visit bataviafireworks.org.

Elgin

On Monday, Elgin's festivities begin with an All-American Pooch Parade at 8:30 a.m. The main parade starts at 9 a.m. and is expected to draw crowds of around 12,000 people and 100 parade participants.

With the parade theme "Go for the Gold," the Downtown Neighborhood Association chose 13-year-old Hannah Oliveros, who is a 2020 Olympics hopeful of Spring Hill Gymnastics, as the Grand Marshal.

"We did research of Olympic hopefuls, and we ended up running across Hannah," DNA executive director Deirdre White said. "(Spring Hill Gymnastics) told us about her and how hard she's been working and what her goals have been. She absolutely loves what she does and that's a part of the Elgin spirit. We are really happy to have her."

After the parade, head to downtown Elgin to check out the numerous shops and restaurants that will be open, as well as Side Street Studio Arts' third annual Americana Jubilee featuring a bake-off, pie-eating contest, live music, the "Generations" visual art exhibition and other activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"It's like a Norman Rockwell Independence Day painting," White said. "People are coming together. It's really a wonderful day after the parade is over in downtown Elgin."

The Grand Victoria Casino will continue its summer concert series with Mark Farner, Rare Earth, Felix Cavaliere's Rascals and Cool Rockin Daddies. Performances start at 5 p.m. Fireworks go off around 9 p.m. near the National Street Bridge. There is free admission to the concert and fireworks show at Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave,

For details, visit downtownelgin.com.

Huntley

Huntley is starting its Fourth of July celebrations early with a Family Fun Day Saturday, July 2.

Families can gather from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Huntley Town Square, 11704 Coral St., to enjoy the farmers market, craft fair, free face painting and kids games.

"It's all community-based. It's all local," said Barb Read, management assistant for the Village of Huntley. "While we are becoming a big community we like to keep that small- town feel, and these are the things we like to do. Parents could come spend an hour or so with their families and the kids are having a ball."

From 8 to 11 a.m., American Legion Post 673 will offer a breakfast buffet.

"It's all homemade. They just have a ton of stuff on their buffet at a reasonable price," Read said. "Everything goes back to the veterans group that they support."

Journey Church is providing decorations for kids and parents to spruce up their bikes and strollers starting at 9 a.m., followed by a small parade around Town Square.

On Monday, July 4, Huntley Community Radio will hold a party with music and games starting between 6 and 7 p.m. at Deicke and Warrington Parks. For the second year, Huntley will have a fireworks show starting at 9:30 p.m., but this time, the show will last 30 minutes.

"It's such a traditional thing to have the fireworks show. It's such a big draw," Read said. "I think they're going to love it. People have been asking for it for a long time. Anywhere in the park you will get a really good view."

Sleepy Hollow

In Sleepy Hollow, between 3,000 and 4,000 people show up each year on the Fourth of July to enjoy the activities the Sleepy Hollow Service Club provides.

"It's a classic, small-town community event," said Bill Grupp, membership chairman of the organization. "I think it's a really nice event where people can just spend the day outside and enjoy the activities."

Activities begin at 8 a.m. Monday in Sabatino Park on Willow Lane and Winmoor Drive with a fun run followed by a fishing derby, car show, carnival games for kids, a pie-eating contest and more. The parade will start at 11:30 a.m. New this year is a bags tournament at 1 p.m. The day will end with fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

For details, visit shsc-il.org.

St. Charles

After five years of working with the same fireworks agency, St. Charles is mixing it up with a new $30,000, 20-25 minute fireworks show from Mad Bomber Fireworks Productions at 9:30 p.m. Monday.

"One of the things that they do differently is that they have a larger shell count. We are looking at about 7,000 shells during that 25-minute display. A different lower-level ground display will go off," superintendent of recreation Jeff Greenwald said.

But before the grand fireworks show - which can be seen in different places throughout the community, according to Greenwald - people can visit Pottawatomie Park, 8 North Ave., for miniature golf starting at 9 a.m., swimming at the pool beginning at 11:30 a.m., and a performance by Shout Out, a pop/rock band that plays hits from the past 40 years.

Picnickers can enter the park as early as sunrise to claim their spot for the fireworks show.

"It is amazing though the distance that some people go to secure their picnic place," Greenwald said. "For a lot of families, it's a tradition for them, and they come out every year. There's people grilling and eating at 7 a.m. in the park."

For details, visit stcparks.org.

Fireworks, parades, festivals

Fireworks

Aurora: 9:30 p.m. Monday, July 4, view from RiverEdge or McCullough parks. Free. www.aurora-il.org/events/4th_fireworks.php.

Batavia: 9 p.m. Monday, July 4, at Engstrom Park, Main and Millview streets, Batavia. $5 donation for parking at high school parking lots. bataviafireworks.org.

Burlington: 9 p.m. Sunday, July 3 at Burlington Park, Deutsch Road and Park Street. Park opens at 6 p.m. with food and drink vendors; acknowledgment of veterans at 8 p.m. Free. www.vil.burlington.il.us/

Cary: Dusk on Friday, July 1, Lions Park, 1200 Silver Lake Road, Cary. Free admission. Parking $5 on grass; $10 on pavement. (847) 639-6100 or carypark.com.

Crystal Lake: Dusk Sunday, July 3, at Main Beach, 300 Lake Shore Drive, Crystal Lake. $2-$5. crystallakeparks.org.

Elgin: Dusk on Monday, July 4, Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave., Elgin. Fireworks follow concert by Mark Farner, Rare Earth and Felix Cavaliere's Rascals. Free. cityofelgin.org.

Geneva: Fireworks follow the Kane County Cougars baseball team's home game against the Quad Cities River Bandits, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, July 3, at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark, 34W002 Cherry Lane, Geneva. kccougars.com.

Huntley: 8:30 p.m. Monday, July 4. Visible from Deicke and Warrington parks. huntley.il.us.

Sleepy Hollow: 9:15 p.m. Monday, July 4, Sabatino Park, Thorobred Lane, Sleepy Hollow. Fireworks parking opens at 7 p.m., donations requested; shsc-il.org.

St. Charles: Dusk, Monday, July 4, Pottawatomie Park, 8 North Ave., St. Charles. Parking is limited. Fireworks can be best viewed at Pottawatomie Park or Ferson Creek Park. Free. stcparks.org.

Woodstock: 9:30 p.m. Monday, July 4, Emricson Park, 900 W. South St., Woodstock. $8 per car. For those walking into park, admission is free; donations welcome. woodstockil.gov.

Parades and festivals

Lakeside Festival: Noon to 11 p.m. Friday, July 1, and Saturday, July 2; noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 3, at Lakeside Legacy Arts Park, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake. 37th annual event features carnival rides, Taste by the Lake, children's events, Baggo tournament, historic mansion tours. Parade at 1 p.m. July 3. Admission $5; free for children 12 and younger, and active military with valid ID. www.lakesideartspark.org.

Cary Summer Celebration: 6:30-10 p.m. Friday, July 1, at Lions Park, 1200 Silver Lake Road, Cary. Live music by The AllStars from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. and fireworks at dusk. Free. Parking $5 on grass; $10 on pavement. Food and beverages available for purchase on-site. (847) 639-6100 or carypark.com.

Sleepy Hollow Fourth of July Festival: 8 a.m. to 9:15 p.m. Monday, July 4, Sabatino Park, Thorobred Lane, Sleepy Hollow. Fun run at 8 a.m.; fishing derby at 9 a.m. at Lake Sharon; Buick GS Club of America car show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; food and drinks from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Bill Ritchie Memorial Parade at 11:30 a.m.; music with Hudson McCoy at 12:30 p.m.; bags tournament at 1 p.m.; games from 12:30 to 3 p.m.; pie-eating contest at 2:30 p.m.; fireworks parking opens at 7 p.m.; fireworks at 9:15 p.m. www.shsc-il.org.

Aurora Independence Day parade: Monday, July 4, east on Benton Street, north on Broadway, west on Galena Boulevard, south on Stolp Avenue, west on Downer Place and ending at River Street. The reviewing stand will be in front of the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., for best viewing. Pre-parade ceremony at 9:15 a.m. outside Paramount Theatre, followed by parade at 10 a.m. Free. www.aurora-il.org.

Elgin Fourth of July Parade: 9 a.m. Monday, July 4, from Slade and Douglas, ends at Douglas and Highland. The 20th annual parade with the theme, "Going for the Gold," is co-sponsored by the City of Elgin and the Downtown Neighborhood Association. This year, there will be an "All-American Pooch Parade" at 8:30 a.m. Free. Visit www.downtownelgin.com.

South Elgin Fourth of July Parade: 10 a.m. Monday, July 4, Spring Street, South Elgin. Steps off from West Spring Street and Wedgewood Drive. Features marching band, dancers, veterans, police, fire and local organizations. Grand marshal is Operation Warrior Wishes. Spring Street will be closed at 8 a.m. www.southelgin.com.

Red, White and Blue Day: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, July 4, Fox River Trolley Museum, 361 S. La Fox St., South Elgin. Pay the original 1966 fares of 50 cents or 25 cents for kids, as museum celebrates its 50th birthday. (847) 697-4676 or foxtrolley.org.

Batavia Fourth of July Sky Concert: 5-9:30 p.m. Monday, July 4, at Engstrom Park, Main and Millview streets, Batavia. Savor the Flavor food vendors open from 5 to 9:30 p.m. $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. bataviafireworks.org.

St. Charles Fourth of July Concert: 4 p.m. Monday, July 4, Pottawatomie Park, 8 North Ave., St. Charles. Shout Out performs from 6 p.m.-dusk in the historic pavilion. Fireworks show begins at dusk off Boy Scout Island. Free; parking is limited. Fireworks can be best viewed at Pottawatomie Park or Ferson Creek Park. www.stcparks.org.

Aurora Independence Day celebration: 4:30 to 10 p.m. Monday, July 4, at RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway Ave., Aurora. Car and Bike Show to benefit veterans from 4:30-7:30 p.m. in the city parking lot, 309 N. River St. Viewing at McCullough Park and RiverEdge Park. McCullough Park, Illinois Avenue and Lake Street, also will have local food vendors, inflatables and creative face painting. Free park and ride shuttle service from 6-9 p.m. Free. aurora-il.org.