Warrenville Fourth celebration covers two days

Posted July 01, 2009 11:00 pm

Robert Sanchez

From an evening parade to a post-fireworks concert, Warrenville's Fourth of July celebration is a party that needs two days.

With the theme "Lincoln's Legacy," the festival kicks off with a Friday night parade that will include marching bands, dance troupes, floats and old-fashioned fire trucks and police cars.

The procession will step off at 6 p.m. in downtown and then travel south on Warren Avenue, west on Warrenville Road and south on Curtis Avenue. The parade will disband at the intersection Woodland Road and Curtis.

Meanwhile, concession booths will be open until 11:30 p.m. at Cerny Park, River Road and Forestview Drive. And starting at 7:45 p.m., musical entertainment will be provided by New Odyssey, a trio that uses up to 30 different instruments during their performances.

Friends of the Fourth Committee Chair Vivian Lund said New Odyssey is back by popular demand.

"Everybody always says, 'Are you going to have them back? I hope you have them back.'" Lund said. "They are really entertaining and play music for all ages."

On Saturday, Cerny Park will continue to be the epicenter for music, food and activities.

At noon, a parade featuring just children will travel to the park from St. Irene Church. The kids will ride their decorated bikes south on Warren Avenue and reach the park in time for a 12:15 p.m. flag-raising ceremony.

Then there will be an afternoon of free activities, including bag toss games, sack races, bubble gum blowing contests, Hula-Hoop contests and the seventh annual two-ball basketball tournament. Festivalgoers also can enjoy a climbing wall, a giant slide, face painting, karaoke and a magic show.

Warrenville's fourth annual horseshoe contest starts at 2 p.m. And the Warrenville Historical Society is sponsoring free bingo and prizes under the pavilion from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Starting at 2 p.m., Warrenville Fire Protection District will square off against other neighboring fire departments in "water fights." In the competition, opposing teams use water from their fire hoses to try push an empty beer barrel hanging from a suspended wire. The team that pushes the barrel into the opponent's territory wins.

"What makes it even more fun - especially if it's a really hot day - is that kids get in the middle of all that water," Lund said.

For those of us who prefer to stay dry, there will be plenty of bands to watch at the main stage. A Kensington Update will perform at 2 p.m., followed by Memphis 4 Now at 4 p.m. and Radio Voices of Rock at 7:30 p.m.

Unlike past years, the 20 to 30 minutes of fireworks that start around 9:15 p.m. won't cap off the night. Concession booths will stay open until the band Centerfold completes its performance at 11:30 p.m.

While no one counts the number of people who watch fireworks every year, Lund said: "By the time we get to the fireworks, you can't walk through the park. I know that. Everybody has their blankets out."

During the festival, parking will be available at the south parking lot of Bower Elementary School and the AT&T parking lot at Ferry and River roads.

Warrenville's Fourth of July celebration FRIDAY, JULY 3 5 to 11:30 p.m. Concession booths open 6 p.m. Parade kicks off 7:45 to 11:30 p.m. New Odyssey performs SATURDAY, JULY 4 Noon Children's parade starts Noon to 11:30 p.m. Concession booths open Noon to 2 p.m. D.C. Karaoke under the pavilion 12:15 p.m. Opening flag ceremony 1 to 2:15 p.m. Warrenville Park District activities 2 p.m. Water fights 2 to 4 p.m. Horseshoe contest 2 to 3 p.m. A Kensington Update performs 3 to 3:45 p.m. Back of the Yards Hispanic Dancers 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Free bingo under the pavilion 4 to 6 p.m. Memphis 4 Now performs 6 to 7:30 p.m. D.C. Karaoke under the pavilion 7:30 to 9 p.m. Radio Voices of Rock performs 9:15 p.m. Fireworks 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. Centerfold performs

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