News

A sparkling good time: Towns prepare for July 4 festivities

Posted June 28, 2009 11:00 pm

Daily Herald Staff Report

July 1-5

Lisle's Eyes to the Skies features hot air balloon rides, craft show, food, a carnival, entertainment and more. Hours are 5 to 11 p.m. July 1 (carnival only); 3 to 11 p.m. July 2, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 3 and 4, noon to 7 p.m. July 5 (carnival only). Fireworks start at 9:45 p.m. nightly July 2-4. Parade at 3:30 p.m. July 4. Daily admission $3; free for children 4 and younger. Info: eyestotheskies.org or (630) 541-6095.

• Taste of Lombard runs 5 to 10 p.m. July 1; 5 to 11 p.m. July 2; noon to 11 p.m. July 3-4 and noon to 6 p.m. July 5 at Madison Meadow Park, Madison Street and Edgewood Avenue. The parade is at noon and fireworks are at dusk July 4. The event also includes a carnival, food, entertainment and more. Free. Info: (630) 375-7474 or tasteoflombard.com.

July 2-5

Ribfest runs noon to 10 p.m. July 2-5 at Knoch Park, West Street and Martin Avenue, Naperville. The festival includes ribs vendors from all over the country, bands, entertainment, carnival rides and more. Fireworks are at 9:30 p.m. July 4. Tickets: $8 advance and $10 at the gate for adults; free for children 11 and younger. Info: ribfest.net.

July 3

Aurora and North Aurora fireworks are at 9:30 p.m. at Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 W. Sullivan Road, Aurora. The event also includes food, children's activities and comedy and musical entertainment starting at 6 p.m. Info: (630) 844-4731 or aurora-il.org.

• Taste of Oak Brook is from 4 p.m. to dusk July 3 at the Oak Brook Polo Club, 700 Oak Brook Road. Fireworks follow at dusk. Free. Info: oak-brook.org or (630) 368-5000.

July 3-4

Warrenville's Fourth of July celebration starts with a parade at 6 p.m. July 3, followed by entertainment from 7:45 to 11:30 p.m. at Cerny Park, River Road and Forest View Drive. Events on July 4 include a children's parade at noon, entertainment and food vendors from noon to 11:30 p.m. at Cerny Park and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Info: warrenville.il.us.

July 4

Addison's Fourth of July festivities include a concert at 7:30 p.m. and fireworks at dusk at Community Park, 120 E. Oak St. Info: (630) 833-0100 or addisonparkdistrict.org.

• Aurora's Independence Day Parade steps off at 10 a.m. from Benton and River streets, then proceeds to Broadway, Galena Boulevard, Stolp Avenue and Downer Place to dispersal at Middle Avenue. Info: (630) 844-4731.

• Bensenville's Fourth of July Parade starts at 10 a.m. at Redmond Recreation Center and proceeds to Jefferson, Mason and Green streets to dispersal at Town Center. The day also includes a concert by Blood, Sweat and Tears at 8 p.m., followed by fireworks at dusk at Redmond Recreation Center. Info: bensenville.il.us.

• Carol Stream's Fourth of July activities include a parade at 10 a.m. on Lies Road, between County Farm Road and Fountain Drive, followed by a concert by Yard Fulla Cars at 7 p.m. and fireworks at dusk at Ross Ferraro Town Center, Gary Avenue and Lies Road. (630) 665-7050 or carolstream.org.

• Downers Grove's Fourth of July Parade steps off at 12:30 p.m. from Main Street and Warren Avenue, then proceeds north on Main Street to Downers Grove North High School, 4436 Main St. Fireworks start at 9 p.m. at Lemont Road and 75th Street. Info: (630) 434-5555 or events.downers.us.

• Glen Ellyn's Fourth of July Celebration includes the following activities: Freedom Four Run at 8 a.m. at Glenbard West High School, 670 Crescent Blvd. Registration is required. Info: (630) 858-2462 or gepark.org. The parade steps off at noon from Crescent Boulevard and Lake Road, then proceeds west on Crescent, north on Main Street and east on Linden Avenue to dispersal at Lake Ellyn Park. Family activities including music, dancing and food follow the parade from 1:30 to 4:30 at Lake Ellyn, Lenox and Essex roads. The cost is $2 per person. Fireworks are at dusk at Lake Ellyn. Info: (630) 858-2462.

• Itasca's Fourth of July fireworks and concert is at Hamilton Lakes, Thorndale Avenue and Route 53. Food, beer and wine are sold starting at 4 p.m. Smash Mouth performs at 8 p.m. and fireworks begin at dusk. Free admission; parking costs $20 per car. Info: itasca.com.

• Oakbrook Terrace Fourth of July Celebration starts with a parade at noon, followed by a picnic, rides and special attractions from 1 to 4 p.m. at Terrace View Park, Route 83 and 22nd Street. Tickets are required for the picnic and must be picked up by July 2. The picnic is free for residents and $5 for others; nonresident tickets must be purchased by Oakbrook Terrace residents. The event also includes bingo for adults at 5 p.m., a concert by The Moods at 8 p.m. and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Info: oakbrookterrace.net or obtpd.org.

• Roselle's fireworks are at 9:30 p.m. at Lake Park High School West Campus, 500 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Info: (630) 980-2000 or roselle.il.us.

• Villa Park VFW Post 2801 Fourth of July Parade steps off at noon at St. Charles Road, then proceeds south on Ardmore Avenue, east on Park, north on Villa Avenue to dispersal at the VFW, 39 E. St. Charles Road. Info: invillapark.com.

• Wheaton's Fourth of July Parade steps off at 10 a.m. from Main Street and Wakeman and heads south, then right on Wesley Street, left on Wheaton Avenue and left on Front Street to dispersal on Cross Street. Wheaton's fireworks are at dusk at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 W. Manchester Road. Info: (630) 668-7074 or wheatonjaycees.org.

• Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton, celebrates the Fourth of July with children's activities from noon to 3 p.m., Revolutionary War re-enactors at 2 p.m. and a concert by the Southwest Community Concert Band at 3 p.m. The First Division and McCormick Museums also will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission and parking. Info: Cantigny.org.