Where to celebrate Fourth of July
Parades, parties and fireworks throughout the South Side
Here’s a rundown of some of the area Independence Day events planned to celebrate America’s 241st birthday between now and the Fourth of July.
The Bridgeview Park District will celebrate with a fun evening starting at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 3, at the Sports Complex at 8100 S. Beloit.
There will be free pool admission for all residents. Food trucks will arrive at 7 p.m. DJ Mike will provide entertainment. Fireworks start at dusk (about 9 p.m.) Rain date is July 8.
The Summit Park District will have an evening of fun beginning at 6 p.m. on the Fourth of July at Summit Park, 5700 S. Archer Road. There will be entertainment and food vendors. Kristy Goodwin will sing the National Anthem. Fireworks show starts at dusk. Bring the family a blanket and chairs to reserve your spot . For more information, call 708-496-1012.
Burbank gets a head start on the holiday with its celebration on Saturday, recreation director Scott Piwowarczyk said. The events will be all be held at Michael Looney Park, 77th Street and Narragansett Avenue.
The fun begins at 4:30 p.m. with carnival games and inflatables for the kids, food vendors, a beer tent and music provided by a deejay. Fireworks are scheduled for dusk, probably around 9:30 p.m.
“It’s always a fun, community event,” Piwowarczyk said.
Brookfield’s Fourth of July Parade starts at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the corner of Grand and Garfield and heads due south on Grand to Brookfield Avenue, and then east to Kiwanis Park.
That’s where the village annual Fourth of July festival is held from 12:30 to 6 p.m.
K. Michael’s Band, which features horn-based classic rock, will perform from 12:30 to 2:45 p.m. Run Forrest Run, which plays pop and rock songs from the ‘90s, starts at 2:45. Identity Crisis, winner of the annual Battle of the Bands, plays at 5 p.m., followed by The Moonrays at 5:30 p.m.
Barone’s will be the food vendor and Leo’s Liquors, another longtime Brookfield business, will be selling beer.
Lyons’ parade starts at 1 p.m. Tuesday at 46th Street and Lawndale Avenue. The parade route is east on 46th Street, then north on Joliet Avenue to the fire house at Collins Avenue.
The Kids Party in the Park will be held in Veterans and Smith parks, located on either side of Lawndale Avenue near the village hall, from 6 to 9 p.m. Both parks offer a great view of the annual fireworks display that starts at dusk over the quarry.
The Riverside celebration begins Monday night with live entertainment in Guthrie Park, located downtown near the train station. Tony Ocean sings at 5:45 p.m., followed by The Brat Pack from 7 to 10 p.m.
A 5K run starts at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. You can register online or at the water tower near the train station. The cost is $35.
The parade starts at Big Ball Park, at Delaplaine and Longcommon roads, and then heads south on Longcommon to downtown. A festival will be held in Guthrie Park from 8:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday with food and beverage vendors.
Berwyn’s annual fireworks show starts at dusk Monday in the football stadium of Morton West High School, in the 2400 block of Harlem Avenue.
Children’s games and activities will be offered from 7 to 8:15 p.m. The Morton High School band will play starting at 8:15 p.m. The Morton Booster Club will be selling refreshments.
Insider’s tip: A good viewing area for the fireworks is the parking lot of North Riverside Park Mall, located just west of the football stadium.
The Evergreen Park Independence Day Parade will march down 95th Street at 6 p.m. July 3. Fireworks around 9 p.m. at Duffy Park, 92nd and Millard.
The Windy City Thunderbolts will celebrate with Sparks in the Park on July 3 at Standard Bank Stadium, 14011 Kenton Ave. Gates open at 6 p.m. Fireworks following Disney movie in the ballpark at 8 p.m.
Fans are welcome to walk onto the field and enjoy a picnic in the park.
Palos Heights will celebrate from 4:30-11:30 p.m. Monday, July 3, at Memorial Park, 76th Avenue and College Drive, with Fireworks over Lake Katherine at 9:15 p.m.
There will also be a parade at noon on the Fourth of July from the BMO Harris Bank north down Harlem Avenue to 119th Place.
The Oak Lawn Park District’s annual Star Spangled Fourth of July Celebration will be held at Centennial Park, located at 94th and Nashville Avenue.
The day will begin with a variety of family activities from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. that includes: Oak Lawn’s Got Talent sponsored by Cusack Insurance, a treasure hunt, Adult and Youth Watermelon Eating Contests, obstacle course, kids tattoos, carnival games, tricycle car wash, inflatables, bingo, crafts, magician, balloon animals, concessions and more.
Children ages 3 and older pay $5 for all daytime activities including access to Centennial Aquatic Center. Adults receive free admission to daytime activities but pay the special $2 holiday rate to access pools.
Free evening entertainment will be held at the football field at Richards High School, 106th Street and Central Avenue. Gates will open at 6 p.m. G.A.C. Entertainment will provide music at 7 p.m. followed by a spectacular fireworks display.
Orland Park’s celebration include Sunday, July 2 with a free outdoor concert featuring The City Lights Orchestra at Centennial Park West from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The holiday weekend comes full circle on Tuesday, July 4 with more festivities at the village’s Centennial Park, 15600 West Ave. Live music will be provided by Run Forrest Run from 7:15-9:15 p.m. followed by the presentation of colors and the village’s annual fireworks show.
Oak Forest’s 30th annual Oak Fest will have fireworks at dusk on the Fourth of July at 159th Street and Central Avenue.
Tinley Park has a full day of events planned for the Fourth of July and it all starts with one of the Southland’s most popular yearly 5K races. The Stars & Stripes 5K Run/Walk presented by Republic Bank will step off from McCarthy Park at 8 a.m.
Opening ceremonies for the remainder of the events planned by the Tinley Park-Park District will be at 4 p.m. Batting cages and miniature golf will be open in the area in between the race and the rest of the events planned for the day.
The Tinley Park Fireworks Extravaganza display will cap everything off at dusk.
— Desplaines Valley News
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