4 Mile Run a holiday highlight in Glen Ellyn

When it comes to the Freedom Four Four-Mile Run in Glen Ellyn, race director Dan Kroger has seen it all.

He's seen 1,000 people fight their way out of the starting line to the head of the pack. He's seen neighbors spray water at runners as they pass. He's even seen a 7-year-old finish with a time of 38 minutes.

"People on the course get into it," he said.

The run is just one of the events planned for Glen Ellyn's Fourth of July celebration. The festival begins Saturday and continues on Sunday.

The Glen Ellyn Park District's cardboard boat regatta starts at noon Saturday on Lake Ellyn. Spectators can watch as hopeful captains pray their vessel stays above water, said Dawn Smith, a marketing volunteer with the Glen Ellyn Fouth of July committee.

If a participant's boat does stay afloat until the end of the race, it either will be displayed in the parade the next day, or the soggy mess will go into the trash.

Also on Saturday, the Glen Ellyn Volunteer Fire Company grills hot dogs and hamburgers for Picnic in the Park from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tickets for the lunch may be purchased at the event. All proceeds benefit the Glen Ellyn Fourth of July volunteer committee, which puts on the parade and fireworks, Smith said.

Sunday's events begin at 8 a.m. with the Freedom Four Four-Mile Run at Glenbard West High School's football field. Kroger said participants will race through the village and receive their time and place just 20 minutes after finishing.

Next on Sunday's agenda is the parade at 2 p.m., two hours later than usual. People can expect to see the Grace Lutheran Church Marching Grocery Cart Drill Team collecting nonperishable items for the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry.

The parade begins at Glenbard West High School, marches to Main Street and to Linden Avenue, then east to Lake Ellyn.

Usually there is a carnival afterward but because the parade was pushed back to a later time, there won't be one this year, Smith said.

At dusk, colorful fireworks will light up the sky. Blankets cannot be used to save spots in Lake Ellyn Park until the park opens at 6 a.m.

Kroger said he's excited about the weekend and plans to be up at 4 a.m. Sunday setting up for the race. The event has been around for more than 25 years and he knows it will continue to be a hit.

Kroger does offer one piece of advice to those who plan to register on Sunday.

"If you plan on registering that day, we open registration at 5 a.m. to (a) quarter to 8. Some people get left in line."