Fireworks and family fun at St. Charles' Fourth of July celebration
The St. Charles Park District, in cooperation with the City of St. Charles, will host an Independence Day celebration and fireworks on Wednesday, July 4.
Best viewed from the grounds at either Pottawatomie Park or Ferson Creek Park, the fireworks show is free to the public.
But before the boom-and-sizzle of fireworks supply the soundtrack to the Fourth of July celebration, the Shout Out band will take the stage in the historic pavilion at 6 p.m. until the start of the fireworks extravaganza at dark. They will perform songs from the latest Top 40 hits to the classics.
Though the pyrotechnics don't start until dark, Pottawatomie Park opens at dawn for family and friends who want to make a day of it. Picnic tables are available on a first-come/first-served basis, so it is strongly suggested that patrons bring their own tables, blankets and lawn chairs.
And while the 4th of July may be a perfect day for an old-fashioned, home made picnic, you can also leave the cooking to someone else. Refreshments from hot dogs and bratwurst to popcorn and ice cream are available at the River View Miniature Golf concession stand, which will remain open until 9:15 p.m. that night.
While at Pottawatomie Park awaiting the start of the fireworks, take advantage of all the other fun things to do there. With over 90 acres, there's plenty to explore, from the native plant demonstration garden to hiking and biking trails. Organize a game of volleyball or baseball on the park's sand lots, or play a round of tennis. Little ones can scramble over the multilevel play area with its tree house, climbing walls and bridges, and covered chutes and slides.
An elaborate, par-42, 18-hole course, River View Miniature Golf features an interactive babbling brook, waterfall, sand traps, windmill, lighthouse, and bridges to challenge golfers, and its picturesque setting amid natural landscape on the banks of the Fox River provides a serene and scenic backdrop. The last tee-off time on July 4 is 7 p.m. and adults 16 and older pay only $6 per 18 holes of golf. The cost for children is $5, and those 5 and younger pay only $3.
And of course Swanson Pool and Pottawatomie Golf Course are right there, too. The pool will open at 10:30 a.m. for park district residents and season pass holders and at 11:30 a.m. for nonresidents. The daily admission fee is $7 for residents and $11 for nonresidents.
On the Fourth of July, the pool will close early at 6 p.m.
Ranked the 15th best 9-hole golf course in the country by Golf World magazine, Pottawatomie Golf Course will open at 6 a.m. on 4th of July, with the last tee time available at 4 p.m. Once the course is cleared of golfers, it is open to the public as one of the best spots from which to view the evening's fireworks.
Fireworks, music, golf, swimming - Pottawatomie Park has everything you need to celebrate the nation's birthday with family and friends.
In the case of inclement weather, the fireworks will be held the next available evening.
Visit www.stcparks.org.