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Fireworks to light sky at Glendale Heights Fest

With the flash and bang of the Fourth of July barely behind us, Glendale Heights Fest will serve up another round of sky-high pyrotechnics this week.

The five-day celebration, an annual village tradition since 1983, begins Wednesday with rides, music, games and a 9:30 p.m. fireworks show.

But that's not the mega-fireworks show that has become the village's signature salute to patriotism and its founding.

"This week is the week the Village of Glendale Heights was incorporated on July 13, 1959," public affairs coordinator David Genty said.

To mark that event, the fest's biggest and best fireworks display will come Sunday night.

And the show will be a little different from years past, Genty said. While it'll be shorter, at 22 minutes, the thundering spectacle will be packed with the explosive punch of 7,000 shells bursting in air.

The reason for the change, he said, is related to last year's fireworks show, when officials identified a safety issue and decided to abbreviate the show.

"Safety is always the number one priority for us," Genty said.

Glendale Heights Fest fireworks are one of the celebration's biggest draws, he said.

"Sunday is typically our biggest day because people come for our fireworks show," Genty said.

This year's main stage musical lineup is also a reflection of events at last year's show.

Wednesday's musical headliner, Modern Day Romeos, takes the stage at 8:30 p.m.

"They got rained out last year so we thought we'd bring them back," Genty said.

Beatles tribute band American English will perform Thursday.

On Friday, country night, the headliner is Back Country Roads.

"We'll have line dancing and a mechanical bull ride," Genty said, with proceeds from the bull benefiting the Family in Faith Food Pantry.

Saturday's show features Infinity, a Journey tribute band, and the Blooze Brothers perform Sunday.

New this year will be a giant TV screen near the stage that will detail festival events and show a live camera feed from backstage as performers get ready to hit the stage.

Genty said visitors are encouraged to share scenes from the fest on social media. The best photos entered into a village contest will be used for village marketing materials, he said.

More than 17 food vendors will be on site. The carnival midway will feature rides along with games of chance and skill.

Bingo fans can get their fill of play from 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday in a tent presented by the Junior Woman's Club of Glendale Heights.

Genty said there is no admission charge for entry into the festival. Parking is available on site, while spots last, for $5.

"It's such a fun family event," Genty said. "It's our biggest event of the year."

  There will be plenty of games, concerts, carnival rides and even fireworks during this week's Glendale Heights Fest celebration. Robert Sanchez/bsanchez@dailyherald.com/2017

Glendale Heights Fest

Glendale Heights Fest opens its five-day run from 6 to 11 p.m. Wednesday and then continues from 6 to 11 p.m. Thursday; 6 p.m. to midnight Friday; 3 p.m. to midnight Saturday; and 3 to 11 p.m. Sunday in Camera Park, 101 E. Fullerton Ave. Admission is free. For details, visit glendaleheightsfest.com.

Wednesday

6 p.m. Opening ceremonies

7 p.m. New Age Americans Band

8:30 p.m. Modern Day Romeos

9:30 p.m. Fireworks

9:45 p.m. Modern Day Romeos

Thursday

6:30 p.m. Jack Flash

7-10 p.m. Junior Woman's Club Bingo

8 p.m. American English

Friday

6 p.m. to midnight Mechanical bull rides

6:30 p.m. Line dancing

7-10 p.m. Junior Woman's Club Bingo

7 p.m. Cowboy Jukebox

8:30 p.m. Line dancing

9 p.m. Back Country Roads

Saturday

5 p.m. Prairie Station

6:30 p.m. Scramble

7-10 p.m. Junior Woman's Club Bingo

8:30 p.m. Infinity

Sunday

4:30 p.m. Forget Hannah

6:30 p.m. Déjà Vu Band

8:30 p.m. Blooze Brothers

9:30 p.m. Fireworks

10 p.m. Blooze Brothers

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