After the miserable wave of cancellations last summer, there’s something very special about this summer’s Independence Day celebrations. Here’s a run-down of all that’s happening to celebration the Glorious Fourth here in the Fox Valley.
St. Charles
The long awaited celebration of our nation’s birthday is coming soon!
St. Charles Park District, in partnership with the City of St. Charles, will host an extraordinary fireworks display on Sunday, July 4 at DARK. When the sun goes down, the night sky lights up with an ooh- and aah-worthy festival of colors, lights and sounds.
Launching from Boy Scout Island, this year’s show will be bigger and better than ever before.
According to Mike Kies, Superintendent of Recreation, the number of shells that will be dispersed over a 20-minute timeframe will be more than ever.
Best viewing locations for this year’s fireworks include Pottawatomie Park, Pottawatomie Golf Course, Ferson Creek Park, Richmond School grassy area off Oak Street, St. Charles North High School parking lot and anywhere downtown St. Charles.
“There’s so many places to spread out and see the fireworks”, said Kies.
But before the boom-and-sizzle of fireworks supply the soundtrack to the 4th of July celebration, the band Soda will take the stage in the historic pavilion at 6pm until the start of the fireworks extravaganza at dark. Get a taste of your favorite fizz from this professional band whose biz is to capture the heart and soul of the most diverse play list you’ll find anywhere.
Though the pyrotechnics don’t start until dark, Pottawatomie Park opens at dawn for family and friends who want to make a day of it. Picnic tables are available on a first-come/first-served basis, so it is strongly suggested that patrons bring their own tables, blankets and lawn chairs. And while the 4th of July may be a perfect day for an old-fashioned, home-made picnic, you can also leave the cooking to someone else. Several food truck vendors will be onsite to purchase a variety of delicious items. Or there’s always snacks available for purchase at the River View Miniature Golf Course Refreshment Stand, which will remain open until 9:15pm that night.
While at Pottawatomie Park awaiting the start of the fireworks, take advantage of all the other fun things to do there. With over 90 acres, there’s plenty to explore along the ½-mile walking trail loop. Organize a game of sand volleyball, baseball, frisbee or play a round of tennis. Little ones can scramble over the multi-level play area with its tree house, climbing walls and bridges, and covered chutes and slides. Visit the new sensory garden and inclusive playground, t An elaborate, par-42, 18-hole course, River View Miniature Golf features an interactive babbling brook, waterfall, sand traps, windmill, lighthouse, and bridges to challenge golfers, and its picturesque setting amid natural landscape on the banks of the Fox River provides a serene and scenic backdrop. The last tee-off time is 7pm. Ages 16+ pay only $7 per 18 holes of golf. The cost for children is $6, and those 5 and younger pay only $3. Pedal boat and kayak rentals are not available on July 4.
Families may also spend time swimming at Swanson Pool, hitting the links at Pottawatomie Golf Course or cruising down the Fox River on a paddlewheel riverboat. The pool will open at 11am and close at 6pm. The daily admission fee is $7 for residents and $11 for non-residents. Riverboat cruises are available six times throughout the day with the last trip at 4pm. Fee for ages 16+ is $12. Ages 3-15 pay $10, and ages 2 & younger are free. Reservations are required at the pool and for the riverboats. Pottawatomie Golf Course will open at 6am with the last tee time available at 4pm. Once the course is cleared of golfers, it is open to the public as one of the best spots from which to view the evening’s fireworks.
In the case of inclement weather, the fireworks will be held the next available evening. Note: Boy Scout Island is closed as this is the location where the fireworks are launched.
For more details, visit stcparks.org/july-4th.
Elgin
The City of Elgin will celebrate the Fourth of July a bit differently this year.
The traditional Fourth of July Parade will not be held, but alternative activities have been planned to engage the community and promote traditions of the holiday. Those activities include a “What Fourth of July Means to Me” home and business decorating contest as well as a kids bike decorating contest, both occurring July 1-11. A fireworks display at Festival Park will be presented on Sunday, July 4. Unlike previous years’ events, the fireworks display will not have any supporting entertainment or other amenities, as pandemic conditions earlier in the year prohibited planning.
What Fourth of July Means to Me – Home and Business Decorating Contest
Whether it’s gathering with close friends and family, having a barbecue, embracing your neighbors or celebrating a cause, Fourth of July can have a different meaning to different people. This year, residents and businesses can showcase “What Fourth of July Means to Me” by participating in the decorating contest.
Those interested in participating should sign up at cityofelgin.org/4thofjulycontest by June 23. Homes and businesses must be decorated by June 25 to be photographed and listed on a public map. From July 1-11, residents and visitors to Elgin can walk, bike or drive around town to see the themed homes and businesses and vote for their favorites. Separate categories for residential and business offer different prizes to those with the most votes. Residential participants can win up to $500 to either Home Depot, Blain’s Farm and Fleet, Ace Hardware or Menards. Business participants can win up to $500 in marketing support. Voting will close on July 11 with the winners announced on July 18.
What Fourth of July Means to Me – Kids Bike Decorating Contest
Bike decoration kits are available for Elgin kids to adorn their bikes (strollers, wagons and scooters acceptable, too) for the Fourth of July and participate in a citywide virtual contest. To be eligible for prizes, participants must have pictures taken and uploaded to social media with #bikefourth by July 11 (make sure the post setting is set to “public”).
Elgin Community Bikes will award first, second and third place winners, along with up to 10 honorable mentions. The first place winner of the bike decoration contest will win a gift certificate to one of the many weeklong summer camps being offered by the City’s parks and recreation department. The second place winner will receive 5 pool passes and a $15 gift card to one of the following local establishments: Cook’s Sweet Boutique, Mama Lee’s Popcorn or Fanny’s Thai Rolled Ice Cream. The third place winner will receive five pool passes and up to 10 honorable mentions will receive a $15 gift card to one of the businesses listed above. Winners will be announced on July 18.
Bike decoration kits will be available for pickup at the various locations beginning Saturday, June 19. Locations and details will be posted at cityofelgin.org/july4.
Fourth of July Fireworks Display
Elgin is presenting a Fourth of July fireworks display at Festival Park on Sunday, July 4. Unlike previous years’ events, this summer’s fireworks display will not have any supporting entertainment or other amenities. This event will simply be an opportunity for persons to gather in Festival Park and other nearby locations for viewing. The fireworks display is scheduled to begin between 9:15-9:30 p.m. and will be lasting 20-30 minutes.
Aurora
Fireworks Display
July 2, 2021 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
RiverEdge Park, 360 N Broadway, Aurora, IL 60505, USA
Fireworks are back in Aurora and RiverEdge Park is the perfect place to view them. Bring the family and enjoy a live DJ, dancing and a fireworks show all along the gorgeous Fox River. It’s time to get out of the house and into the Park.
7-9:15 PM – DJ, DANCING
9:20 PM – FIREWORKS
Fourth of July Parade
July 4, 2021 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
GAR Memorial Hall and Museum, 23 E Downer Pl, Aurora, IL 60505, USA
Celebrating “One Aurora, One America,” the City of Aurora’s Annual 4th of July Parade will step-off at 10:00 AM on Sunday, July 4th, 2021, in downtown Aurora!
Naperville
The Naperville Salute
Rotary Hill July 2 and 3, 2021 / Fireworks at Frontier Park July 4
Local Bands / Family Fun / Food & Beer / Fireworks
The Naperville Salute is Naperville’s family-friendly Independence Day Hometown Celebration, centered around appreciation for Veterans, Active Military, First Responders and their Families. The Salute blends community, local entertainment, family fun and a fireworks extravaganza. The footprint will encompass Rotary Hill July 2-3 along the Riverwalk and downtown Naperville. Fireworks will be held July 4 at Frontier Park in south Naperville.
Admission is free for Family Family Entertainment July 3 and Fireworks at Frontier Park July 4. No tickets required.
General Admission to Rotary Hill after 4PM July 2 and 3 is $15. Kids 12 and under are free with paying adult. When purchasing online tickets, don’t forget to print out your tickets or save to your mobile device.
Tickets are available at www.napervillesalute.org.
Batavia
The City of Batavia is proud to host one of the most celebrated 4th of July fireworks productions in the western suburbs of Chicago, which we proudly call the “Sky Concert.”
The Sky Concert has a more than 50-year history of being produced and paid for by local citizens. Today, the show is provided under the auspices of the Batavia ACCESS Committee. The show is paid for with private donations and fund-raisers. While the City of Batavia incurs costs for police and fire safety, no tax dollars are used to pay for the pyrotechnics.
Schedule of Events
5:00p – 9:30p Savor-the-Flavor Food Vendors
8:30p – 9:15p Music by The Batavia Community Band
9:25p – 9:30p Announcements
9:30p – 10:00p SKY CONCERT!!
Engstrom Park
326 Millview Dr in Batavia
North Aurora
Music and Fireworks Display
North Aurora’s Independence Day celebration will be Saturday, July 3, at North Aurora Riverfront Park (behind Village Hall, 25 East State Street), starting at 5 pm.
The festivities begin with music from two live bands.
Wild Daisy 5pm – 6:30pm
About: Wild Daisy is an energetic, dynamic female-fronted country band in the Chicagoland area. The band plays current, upbeat country, with a few pop/rock songs thrown in. Wild Daisy established a reputation in Chicago for consistently delivering high-quality, family-friendly, crowd-interactive, entertaining shows, with musicianship and energy that cannot be matched.
Spoken Four 7pm – 9pm
About: Spoken Four performs high energy party covers spanning the 60’s through today’s Top 40. You will hear everything from the Jackson 5 to Maroon 5. The show is family oriented and designed for the short attention span with tons of mashups and non-stop excitement. Throughout the years, Spoken Four has performed across the globe including Barcelona, Istanbul and Cabo San Lucas for corporate and private events.
Fireworks will launch at approximately 9:30 pm and a soundtrack will accompany them at the park.
Residents are invited to BYOB to the park.
In the event of rain, fireworks will launch on Sunday, July 4.
