Some communities rescheduling Fourth of July fireworks, others open to it

Plans for fireworks and drone shows fizzled for several communities over the Fourth of July holiday.

Some communities, though, have decided to reschedule, while others are considering alternative plans.

Wheaton’s fireworks and drone show was rescheduled to Sunday at Graf Park, the Wheaton Park District announced. The food and entertainment will begin at 6 p.m., with the show itself lighting up the sky at 9:15 p.m.

Aurora rescheduled its fireworks show at RiverEdge Park and McCullough Park from July 4 to Friday.

Naperville’s July 4 fireworks show was washed out, but the city announced it and the park district will work with the fireworks vendor on a possible rescheduling.

Arlington Heights was to have had its first drone show until a deluge July 2 canceled the synchronized sky display involving 400 drones and choreographed music.

Officials haven't announced a rescheduled date, but the agreement calls for it to be within a year should there be a weather-related cancellation.

Roselle is working to salvage the event, working with vendors, performers, technicians and public safety partners to identify a new date.

“Coordinating an event of this size takes time and we will share an update as soon as an alternative date is secured,” Roselle officials said in a Facebook post.

Extreme weather wiped out this year’s fireworks show at the Palatine Jaycees Hometown Fest too. But there is still a chance the show could pop up at another village event.

“That is an ongoing discussion,” said Andrew Namowicz, who chairs the event along with co-chairs Kevin Healey and Cassie Kolle. “We are exploring opportunities to do so. I can’t get into any specifics, because we are just starting talks this week.”

The decision wasn’t hard, he said, noting there was a lightning strike on festival grounds.

Rescheduling for the weekend of the festival was out of the question, because of such obstacles as the availability of village staff.

“We want fireworks. Everyone wants fireworks,” he said. “We’re just trying to find a way to make it happen.”

Several other suburbs canceled fireworks shows, but have yet to set a rescheduled date. That includes towns like Oak Brook, St. Charles, Wauconda, Glen Ellyn, Lombard and Carol Stream.

Bartlett and Elgin officials said they will not be rescheduling canceled fireworks shows.

· Daily Herald staff writer Christopher Placek contributed to this report.