Elgin’s July Fourth features parades, live music and fireworks

Elgin’s annual Fourth of July Parade and Celebration will feature a full day of activities including a parade, pet parade, live music, food and drink vendors, children’s activities, a pie-eating contest and a fireworks show.

The parade will step off at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 4, at the intersection of Douglas and Slade avenues. The parade will proceed south on Douglas Avenue and conclude at the intersection of Douglas and Highland avenues, near city hall. Seating is available along Grove Avenue in the public right-of-way from Slade Avenue to the end of the route. The parade is expected to wrap up by 11 a.m.

The pet parade also returns this year and will step off at 9 a.m. from the NENA Butterfly Garden near the intersection of Douglas Avenue and Ann Street. The parade will follow the same route as the main parade and conclude near city hall.

Following the parades, festivities will continue at Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave., starting at 5 p.m. with live music, food trucks, children’s activities, and tabletop games.

Festivities also include the return of the popular pie-eating contest, sponsored by Herb’s Bakery. Fruit-filled pies will be provided for contestants across three age groups: 6 to 12, 13 to 17 and 18 or older. The contest will begin around 7:30 p.m. Registration is free and required for participation, and prizes will be awarded to winners.

Additional activities at the Festival Park celebration include the return of free children’s carnival games, the giant Lite-Brite wall and a new interactive butter-making activity open to all.

The concert lineup at Festival Park features Petty Betty from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by Journey from the Heart from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Rock along with JUMP — America’s Van Halen Experience from 8 to 9:20 p.m. The fireworks show is scheduled to begin around 9:20 p.m. and will last 15 to 20 minutes, concluding the celebration.

VIP Information

VIP access will return this year with exclusive tickets providing reserved bar access, lawn seating, private restrooms and an elevated viewing deck with prime views of the stage and fireworks, all enhanced by ambient lighting.

Tickets are $25, with limited availability on-site if the event is not sold out. Each guest age 12 or older must have a ticket to enter. Children under 12 are free but must be accompanied by a ticketed adult, with a maximum of two children per adult ticket. Note: Lawn chairs are not provided, so guests are encouraged to bring their own.

VIP tickets can be purchased at elginil.gov/FourthOfJulyVIP.

Pie-eating contest

Join in one of the tastiest traditions of summer! Sign up for the annual pie-eating contest, sponsored by Herb's Bakery which will be providing fruit-filled pies (apple, blueberry and cherry) for this year's challenge. It will be held at 7:30 p.m. on the event stage at Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave. All participants must be on-site for check-in from 6 to 7 p.m. It is free to participate. Prizes will be awarded for winners in each age category (ages 6-12, 13-17 and 18 or older). Register at elginil.gov/PieEatingContestRegistration. Registration for the pie-eating contest also will be open on-site if spots are still available.

Parking information

For a map of the free downtown parking, visit elginil.gov/FourthOfJulyParking. Arrive early due to street closures. Road and parking closures will be shared closer to the event.

For additional information, including a full schedule of events, street closures and downtown parking maps, visit elginil.gov/FourthOfJuly or contact Elgin 311.

Learn more about upcoming special events at elginil.gov/DCASE.