Wheaton celebrates Independence Day with a week of activities
Field of Honor returns to Seven Gables Park from June 28 through July 4. This special display of flags kicks off the week of Independence Day celebrations which includes a fireworks and drone show in Graf Park on Thursday, July 3, and a parade in downtown Wheaton on Friday, July 4.
Nearly 2,000 flags will be on display in Seven Gables Park, 1750 S. Naperville Road, from Saturday, June 28 through July 4.
Wheaton’s Field of Honor display is an annual tradition in tribute to service people, hometown heroes and first responders; the display is hosted by the Wheaton Park District and the Wheaton United Soccer Club and chaired by Rudy Keller.
Donors may purchase a 3-foot-by-5-foot flag for $30 and dedicate it to a specific honoree. On July 4, flags can be picked up and taken home. Donations benefit the Warrenville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8081. For more information about flag purchases, visit www.healingfield.org/event/wheaton-il/.
Leading up to the fireworks and drone show, guests can enjoy lawn games, food trucks, inflatables, music and giveaways beginning at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Graf Park, 1855 Manchester Road.
Food vendors include 302 Wheaton, Kori's Koop, Genoa Italian Concession, Lou Malnati's, Dippin' Dots, Snowie Shaved Ice, and Mamie's Toffee. The fireworks and drone show will begin at dusk, around 9 p.m.
On Thursday, July 3, the DuPage County Fairground parking lot will only be accessible from County Farm Road. Handicap parking access will be available in the Graf Park playground parking lot off Manchester Road.
The Wheaton Independence Day parade, hosted by the Wheaton Park District, will step off at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 4, in downtown Wheaton with the judging stand located on Front Street. The district is asking for help from the community to stay at or behind the curb while viewing the parade, for everyone's safety.
This year, the parade's Grand Marshal will be Wheaton resident Steven Fixler, a retired U.S. Army Major, who completed 25 years of service from 1979 to 2004 as both an Armor Enlisted and Armor Officer.
As an officer, he held the positions as a tank platoon leader and tank company executive officer, scout platoon leader and headquarters company executive officer (West Germany), where he also deployed to Operation Desert Shield, Desert Storm, tank company commander (Fort Carson, Colorado), tank battalion executive officer (South Korea) and Cavalry Squadron operations officer (Fort Knox, Kentucky).
During his career, he also held positions as an observer/trainer for National Guard units, assistant professor of military science (University of Minnesota) and operations officer for United States Army Troop Command — Korea (Yongsan).
From 2002-10, he volunteered at the U.S. Army Armor Museum/Patton Museum. Since 2005, he has volunteered at the First Division Museum at Cantigny Park, where he gives tours of the Main Exhibit Hall and the Tank Park. Fixler currently works for the Veterans Assistance Commission of DuPage County.
Parade-goers can also look forward to parade entries from local businesses and community organizations, performances from the Wheaton North and Wheaton Warrenville South High School marching bands, plus roaming entertainment.
For more information on all Independence Day events, visit wheatonparkdistrict.com.