Itasca's fireworks show returns to Hamilton Lakes July 4

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the village of Itasca will again host a live pyrotechnics spectacular and music-filled evening at Hamilton Lakes, located west of O'Hare Airport at the intersection of I-390 and Park Boulevard.

This marks 25 years since the first Independence Day celebration at the scenic Itasca site - an event notable for being the largest fireworks display in Illinois.

The festivities will begin at 4 p.m. Monday, July 4, with numerous area restaurants and food vendors serving a variety of tasty foods and beverages and Church Street Brewing offering a selection of craft beers.

Live music by America's Got Talent performer Joey Kar will begin at 7 p.m., and popular Chicago-area cover band Maggie Speaks will play at 8 p.m.

Special guest Randall Hall, formerly of Lynyrd Skynyrd, will join Maggie Speaks and perform such hit songs as "Free Bird," "Sweet Home Alabama," "Gimme Three Steps," "Call Me the Breeze," "What's Your Name," "Swamp Music," and "Simple Man."

The fireworks, synchronized to pop music, movie music and patriotic music broadcast on a concert-quality sound system, will begin at 10 p.m.

Admission to the event is free. On-site parking is available for a donation of $25 per car.

The fireworks and music are presented by Itasca and Hamilton Partners, Inc., and sponsored by Hill Group, Omni Commercial Group, Allied, Arthur J. Gallagher, Earthwise, and the Daily Herald.