Fox Valley towns, small and large, ready to celebrate the Fourth
Big fireworks shows used to be common on the Fourth of July. However, many places, particularly smaller towns, can no longer afford to put on huge displays.
The village of Burlington, with a population of 633, was helped when the Friends of Burlington Committee took over. In 2010 — the first year not under the village's control — the celebration sure didn't show a financial crisis.
“I looked out from my seat and I was shocked at all the people,” said Dale Dopkins, color guard commander of the Hampshire-Burlington American Legion Post 680. He estimated 4,000 to 5,000 attendees last year.
This year, Friends of Burlington promises to improve upon last year's celebrations. Burlington is one of several communities celebrating Fourth of July with fireworks and other patriotic activities.
Burlington's fireworks display will be Sunday, July 3, at dusk at Burlington Park, off South Street and Deutsch Road. Prior to the fireworks, Brigadier Gen. Joseph Lanni of the U.S. Air Force will give a short speech to the audience.
Promoted to Brigadier General in 2007, Lanni is the commander of the Air Force Security Assistance Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. He also has logged more than 4,700 flight hours in more than 100 different aircraft, including the F-22.
When they were looking for a speaker, Dopkins' fellow Legion member and Post 680 Sr. Vice Commander Elwood Woods mentioned Lanni was a close friend of his and would likely be willing to speak at the festivities.
“When we were shopping for speakers, Woods said one of his friends was an Air Force general,” Dopkins said. “That was clearly a step up for us.”
The Friends of Burlington Committee is proud to have ongoing fireworks for Fourth of July, even if it's a day early.
“As a committee, we do our best to set up a fireworks display,” said Bob Walsh, committee chairman. “This year has blossomed nicely. And we are proud that this celebration will be more about the troops.”
“So many of the smaller towns have cut it down smaller or permanently because they are so pricey,” said Dopkins, who is master of ceremonies at this year's Burlington festivities. “With everyone cutting back on their fireworks displays, we are really proud to continue our festivities.”
Many towns and cities in the area will be left without a fireworks display. Elgin will continue without fireworks for a third consecutive year — although it will have a parade. North Aurora is co-sponsoring with Aurora for their displays.
St. Charles, meanwhile, will continue with the city's centennial anniversary with a bigger fireworks show Monday, July 4, honoring both the country and the city, from Pottawatomie Park.
“We put in a little extra this year,” said Erika Young, marketing manager for the city of St. Charles.
Young said the city spent about $25,000 on fireworks and expects attendance to be on par with last year's showing of around 15,000 people.
“It is definitely a complete show,” Young said. “There's a consistency with the show that really makes all of us proud of it.”
The Fox Valley Concert Band will perform from 4-5:30 p.m., and popular local band Red Woody will perform from 6 p.m. to dark at Pottawatomie Park, 8 North Ave., St. Charles.