Fireworks get official OK from Gurnee

Gurnee Days now has official approval for Saturday's big fireworks show to explode at Viking Park at dusk. Gurnee village board members Monday night OK'd a fireworks permit for the private nonprofit entity that runs the festival. While Trustee Greg Garner questioned the $15,000 in public money that'll be spent on the fireworks, Village Administrator James Hayner said the money will buy the kind of show that would be double the price on Fourth of July. Gurnee Mayor Kristina Kovarik said village officials will control the show because public money is being spent on it. "We're expecting a great show," Kovarik said. Gurnee Days kicks off Thursday night with a testimonial dinner at Midlane Golf Resort in Waukegan. Most of the event over the weekend will be centered on Gurnee Park District property along Old Grand Avenue east of O'Plaine Road.