Navy invites public to its July 4th party
Weekly summer concerts, Fourth of July celebrations and other activities were bringing crowds onto Great Lakes Naval Station near North Chicago.
But like so many other things in the United States, the military base's fun side came to a halt after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks because of security concerns.
Navy officials say they're ready to party again, so they are reopening the gates from noon to 10 p.m. Friday for the first public Fourth of July bash since 2001.
Fireworks, food, a flyover of Navy T-34 aircraft at dusk and band headliner Night Ranger will be part of the festivities.
John Prue, director of Great Lakes' Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department, said a new plan to funnel visitors through one gate was deemed to be secure enough to resume the Fourth of July celebration.
"Every year since Sept. 11, we get hundreds of calls - and I'm not kidding - hundreds of calls asking if we're doing Fourth of July," said Prue, who's in charge of the event.
Prue said Monday that Great Lakes brass will evaluate the Fourth of July extravaganza before deciding whether to hold more public events. He said hopes that'll be the case, especially considering Great Lakes' 100th anniversary is July 1, 2011.
Concerns about being unknown to many Chicago-area residents led the Navy to stage more public events in 2001. The additions included creation of a weekly summer concert series on Ross Field, near Lake Michigan and in the shadows of the base's signature clock tower.
Tighter Defense Department regulations because of the war on terrorism were cited as the reason the Fourth of July event was scrubbed in 2002.
Visitors for Friday's festivities on Ross Field must enter the Navy base through Gate 3 on Sheridan Road south of Route 137. Prue said the identification and vehicle checks will be part the security measures in place.
Once inside, the crowd projected at 15,000 to 20,000 will find Night Ranger scheduled to hit the stage at 6 p.m., followed by the Navy Band Wind Ensemble at 8:30 p.m.
After the T-34 flyover at dusk, fireworks choreographed to music are set to explode at 9:30 p.m. in front of the clock tower building.
Great Lakes spokeswoman Rhonda Burke said Monday the Navy is eager to welcome civilians back onto its property for the Fourth of July.
"It's a great opportunity to let the public in to see the base and get to know the Navy better," Burke said.
Prue said Great Lakes' commander, Capt. David Schnell, decided in January to bring back the Fourth of July bash. Prue said the event draws visitors from across the Midwest.
Great Lakes is the Navy's lone boot camp. More than 40,000 recruits will pass through the 96-year-old base this year with the goal of becoming sailors.