Batavia to host Flag Day, 4th of July fireworks

For patriotic citizens in the Tri-Cities area, the next few weeks will provide a red, white and blue trifecta of fun and special memories.

• On Monday, June 14, the Batavia community will celebrate Flag Day outdoors at 7 p.m. at the Peg Bond Center on the Riverwalk. The Batavia Community Band will provide a concert of patriotic favorites, along with a tribute to Dr. Bernard Cigrand, the nationally recognized Father of Flag Day and a Batavia dentist for decades. An update on the building of the Flag Day Monument, dedicated to Dr. Cigrand and our military and first responders, will be shared. Posters of what the monument will look like as well as ways to purchase bricks and challenge coins to help fund the monument will be available. Learn more about the Flag Day Monument at www.flagdaymonument.com.

• On Sunday, July 4, the City of Batavia will host its 70th annual fireworks Sky Concert on the fields at Engstrom Park and Batavia High School.

Starting at approximately 5 p.m., food vendors will offer a variety of foods. The Batavia Community Band will provide a patriotic concert prior to the 9:30 p.m. firing off a beautiful fireworks show set to popular music past and present. No taxpayer dollars are ever used to pay for these fireworks which are totally funded by individual, business, and organization donations, along with fundraisers such as the Citywide Garage Sales the first weekend in May.

Due to the pandemic, most fundraising opportunities were not able to be held this past year. Therefore, any and all donations are incredibly important this year to help pay for the fireworks, sound system, lighting, etc., which all make the fireworks show such a beloved event in the Fox Valley area.

Go to bataviafireworks.org to donate, or drop off a check to Batavia City Hall, 100 N. Island Ave., addressed to the Batavia Fireworks Committee.

On the fields before, during and after the fireworks show, please look for volunteers in bright yellow T-shirts who will gladly take your cash donations.

Thank you for supporting all three of these special events with your participation and dollars.