Festivals and Fairs
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Blackhawks anthem singer Jim Cornelison named grand marshal for Barrington’s Fourth of July ParadeJul 02, 2026 11:14 pm - The Barrington Fourth of July celebration features Chicago Blackhawks anthem singer Jim Cornelison as parade grand marshal, who then will perform patriotic songs at noon.
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Glendale Heights Fest returns July 9-12 with fireworks and four days of musicJul 02, 2026 9:44 pm - Glendale Heights Fest, a popular four-day summer festival, returns July 9-12 at Camera Park with 14 live music acts, carnival rides, food vendors, and family activities. The free admission event will feature headliners Chicago Rockhouse, Hi Infidelity, Down/Pour, and Back Country Roads.
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‘The right man for the job’: Glen Ellyn’s Superman to lead the Fourth of July paradeJul 01, 2026 1:12 pm - Glen Ellyn resident Jonathan Charbonneau, featured in the award-winning documentary short, “Saving Superman,” will serve as the grand marshal for Glen Ellyn’s Independence Day parade.
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Best bets: Celebrate July 4 with baseball, fireworks and free concertsJul 01, 2026 10:24 am - Celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary this weekend at Six Flags Great America’s patriotic drone show, the Chicago Dogs’ fireworks display, the Grant Park Music Festival and more.
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ItascaFest returns for 37th year with four days of music and family funJul 01, 2026 12:45 am - ItascaFest 2026 will run July 9-12 at Washington Park, featuring live music, carnival rides, food vendors, and cash bingo.
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Why drone shows are replacing fireworks in some suburbsJun 30, 2026 6:04 pm - While many municipalities and organizations will celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday with traditional fireworks displays, some are embracing drone displays with several organizations including the Schaumburg Boomers and Six Flags Great America, serve up both.
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Community comes together for Geneva’s Swedish Days ParadeJun 30, 2026 12:08 pm - The 2026 Swedish Days parade in Geneva featured 82 acts and lasted over an hour, marking the longest parade lineup since the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing the community's unity through collaboration between local businesses and organizations.
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Lakeside Festival returns to Crystal Lake with rides, food, musicJun 30, 2026 10:01 am - Crystal Lake’s annual Lakeside Festival will return to the grounds of the Dole this week with carnival rides, 14 bands on two outdoor stages, food, a beer garden, fireworks, games and more.
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Aurora’s Fourth of July celebration features fireworks, live music and food trucksJun 29, 2026 11:56 pm - Aurora will celebrate Independence Day with fireworks on July 3, viewable from RiverEdge Park and McCullough Park. There will be DJ entertainment, the 6050's Band performing hits from the 1980s-2000s, and food trucks at both locations.
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Aurora names Juanita Wells as grand marshal for Fourth of July ParadeJun 29, 2026 11:44 pm - Juanita Wells, a 44-year Aurora Township resident and community leader who served on the East Aurora Unit District 131 board and as a township trustee, will serve as grand marshal for Aurora’s Fourth of July Parade starting at 10 a.m. at Benton Street and Broadway Avenue.