Gurnee celebrates America’s 250th anniversary with community festival and fireworks

Local partners across Gurnee will host a free celebration honoring the United States’ 250th anniversary from 3:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 2, at Viking Park, 4374 Old Grand Ave., Gurnee.

The celebration will kick off with a patriotic “Star-Spangled Stroll & Roll” parade, a free, family-friendly event that encourages participants of all ages to decorate their bicycles, scooters, wagons, wheelchairs and other nonmotorized wheeled devices in patriotic style before strolling to Viking Park.

The parade will begin at Gurnee Fire Station 1, 4580 Old Grand Ave., and conclude at Viking Park. Prior to the parade’s start, participants are invited to attend a decorating party that will include supplies such as patriotic streamers, pinwheels and mini flags for parade participants to personalize their wheeled device (while supplies last). The decorating party will run from 3:30-4 p.m. with the parade stepping off at 4 p.m. Parking will be available in nearby lots, including Viking Middle School and Viking Park West. A free and secure bike storage area will be available at Viking Park until 10:30 p.m.

Old Grand Avenue will be temporarily closed to traffic from 3:45-4:45 p.m. to accommodate the parade route.

At 4 p.m., the event grounds will open at Viking Park, featuring food vendors, community organizations, a glow product vendor, and music throughout the evening.

Guests can enjoy a lineup of live entertainment beginning with welcome remarks from village of Gurnee Mayor Tom Hood, singing of the national anthem by Emma Panagiotopoulos, performances by the Lake County Symphony Orchestra and Lakeshore Singers, a special America 250 presentation by the American Legion, and live music from nationally recognized John Mellencamp tribute band Mellencougar. The celebration will conclude with a fireworks display.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase from a variety of local vendors, including: Mission BBQ, Dog & Suds, Tamales El Guero, Glen Rock, Kona Ice and a Gurnee Exchange Club Beer Garden. In addition, Uglow2 will also be on-site with LED glow products available for purchase.

Admission to the America 250 Celebration is free. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the evening's festivities.

This free community event is presented in collaboration with Gurnee Park District, Gurnee School District 56, Village of Gurnee, Warren-Newport Public Library, Warren Township Center, Warren Township High School District 121, and Woodland School District 50.

For additional event information and updates, visit gurneeparkdistrict.com.