Hoffman Estates fireworks show may include Elgin, Hanover Park

Hoffman Estates Mayor William McLeod is working with the mayors of Elgin and Hanover Park to host a Fourth of July fireworks show at the Sears Centre Arena this year.

The village made plans months ago to host its Fourth of July festival at the Sears Centre Arena for the first time. The village’s Fourth of July parade will still be held on Hassell Road, as it has been in previous years.

McLeod met Wednesday with Elgin Mayor Dave Kaptain and Hanover Park Mayor Rodney Craig to talk about the potential collaboration.

“There is no agreement per se right now,” McLeod said, adding, however, that he hopes to have one “nailed down in the next week” after each municipality’s governing body has a chance to discuss the idea.

There is also talk, he said, of having the villages come together further in 2013 and beyond “to alleviate some of the costs of the festival,” with Elgin and Hanover Park possibly providing some vendors and restaurants.

“I think it’d be a very great thing for all our communities and the region,” McLeod said.

Elgin has not had a Fourth of July fireworks show since 2008, but the city continues to hold a parade for the holiday each year.

Kaptain said he has been talking about the fireworks with McLeod since the fall and when he recently presented it to city council members they were very supportive.

“I think this is a real opportunity for our region of the Northwest suburbs to show that we are indeed an entertainment venue for everybody,” he said.

Kaptain said he believes sharing Elgin’s resources and assets with those of surrounding communities for events like the Fourth of July is beneficial for everyone.

“We all have something to bring to the table here,” he said, adding that perhaps in the future some musical groups from the city, such as the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, could play at the festival.

Craig said he hasn’t discussed the idea yet with his board, but he felt honored Hoffman Estates and Elgin would think to include the smaller village.

To his knowledge, Hanover Park has never held its own fireworks show or Fourth of July celebration.

“I like the idea of collaborating between towns on a test basis,” Craig said. “I think we can all become better communities if we think regionally like this.”

Craig said Hanover Park’s participation will depend on its budget, however. It recently opened a $15 million police station, and some budget cuts have been made. Still, he’s hopeful the fireworks show will work out, and envisions publicizing the event and offering residents transportation to the Sears Centre.

“If we work together we can probably put on a really great event, sharing the cost,” McLeod said. “Everybody has less money, you can’t afford to do these things (alone). I think regionalizing it, you still keep the community feel.”

Ÿ Daily Herald staff writer Kimberly Pohl contributed to this report.