Private groups keep Fourth of July festivals booming in suburbs

When Libertyville resident Joe Massarelli was a kid, he spent every Fourth of July with his family, watching the sky light up in all colors at the village's annual fireworks display.

So when Massarelli, now the co-owner of Libertyville Auto City, heard that city officials might cut back on this year's fireworks display to save money, he and 10 other car dealers banded together to save the tradition.

The Libertyville Mile of Cars gave $5,000 to the city, despite their own industry's financial hardships.

"There's no one more affected by the economy than car dealers," Massarelli said. "Now that things are turning around economically, the village will catch up in a few years. So we're stepping in to preserve a tradition that's been going on my entire life."

Private sponsorships have saved several suburban Independence Day celebrations, allowing most major fests being held this weekend to operate at full-throttle with few, if any, cuts to their budget. Despite the current economic recession and ever-tightening city budgets, most July Fourth festivals run by private, nonprofit organizations aren't having to scrimp on their fireworks displays, parades and food festivals.

Arlington Heights' annual Frontier Days festival, which starts Thursday, raises its own funds through food and beer sales that finance part of the next year's event. The festival, one of the biggest in the area, includes a carnival, craft fair, live music and parade, drawing 60,000 to 100,000 people over its five-day run.

Though Frontier Days raised enough additional funding this year to cover all their costs, event co-chair David Wiltse is still cautious in uncertain economic times.

"With the economy we've had to be very conservative about the way we spend our money and book entertainment," Wiltse said. "But we're not affected by some of the problems of other festivals that have been canceled. We have the ability to make our own budget."

Having the free rein to control a private budget has enabled the celebrations to avoid the cut-cutting measures affecting many cash-strapped cities. Frontier Days, for example, is a stand-alone, nonprofit organization, a model replicated by Barrington's Fourth of July Celebration Committee, a nonprofit that puts together Barrington's annual festival.

The Libertyville fireworks show, usually sponsored by the village, relied on private funding this year from the Libertyville Mile of Cars rather than put on a watered down show that would disappoint spectators. This year's display will feature $15,000 in fireworks, the same as years past.

A downward economy has had unexpected perks for some festivals, including Crystal Lake's Lakeside Fest. Corporate sponsorships and small business are up this year from last, possibly because of a trend toward supporting local events.

In addition, organizers expect increased attendance due to more people taking "staycations" this summer.

"It's a hometown tradition," said Terry Legare, executive director of the Lakeside Legacy Foundation, which organizes Lakeside Fest. "People expect us every single year and look forward to it. They're not taking vacations so they're looking for something to do at home."

Organizers of Palatine's Jaycees Hometown Fest have long known that affordable prices are key in getting people to attend. Like many other festivals, there is no admission fee, and people are allowed to bring their own food and picnic blankets if they wish.

"People don't even have to spend money. They can walk around and see whatever they want," said public relations chairman Bill Pohlman.

The fest includes a fireworks display worth $26,000, a figure which has been unaffected by tough economic times. The evening display alone draws an estimated 100,000 attendees, many of whom also spend their money at the carnival and food tents during the day as well.

Naperville's Ribfest saw an increased number of sponsors this year, though the average amount per contribution has fallen from years past. The overall budget for RibFest was unaffected.

Though Ribfest charges admission fees - $12 at the entrance or $9 in advance - it's still a far cry from the average price of a family vacation. Their band lineup - which includes LeAnn Rimes, Julianne Hough and Jonny Lang, to name a few - is the best they've ever had, said marketing chairman Ray Kinney.

"Staycation is the buzzword these days," Kinney said. "People this year and even last year are skipping or postponing a vacation, they're staying home and going to local festivals. That's a big benefit for us."