Elgin will celebrate the Fourth of July with a parade, concert and fireworks, all occurring on Saturday, July 4th.
Fourth of July Parade
The Fourth of July Parade will begin at 9am at the intersection of Douglas and Slade avenues. The parade will proceed south on Douglas Avenue and conclude at the intersection of Douglas and Highland avenues, near City Hall. Seating is available along Grove Avenue in the public right of way from Slade Avenue to the end of the route. The parade is expected to wrap up by 11 a.m.
Pet Parade
The pet parade also returns this year and will step off at 9 a.m. from the NENA Butterfly Garden near the intersection of Douglas Avenue and Ann Street. The parade will follow the same route as the main parade and conclude near City Hall.
Festivities and Fireworks
Following the parades, festivities will continue at Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave., starting at 5pm with live music, food trucks, children’s activities, and tabletop games.
Festivities also include the return of the popular pie-eating contest, sponsored by Herb’s Bakery. Fruit-filled pies will be provided for contestants across three age groups: 6–12, 13–17 and 18 and older. The contest will begin around 7:30pm. Registration is free and required for participation, and prizes will be awarded to winners.
Additional activities at the Festival Park celebration include the return of free children’s carnival games, the giant Lite-Brite wall and a new interactive butter-making activity open to all.
The concert lineup at Festival Park includes:
- 5–6 p.m. — Petty Betty
- 6:30–7:30 p.m. — Journey from the Heart
- 8–9:20 p.m. — JUMP – America’s Van Halen Experience
The fireworks show is scheduled to begin around 9:20p.m. and will last 15 to 20 minutes, concluding the celebration.
VIP Seating: VIP access will return this year with exclusive tickets providing reserved bar access, lawn seating, private restrooms and an elevated viewing deck with prime views of the stage and fireworks, all enhanced by ambient lighting.
Tickets will be $25, with limited availability on-site if the event is not sold out. Each guest age 12 and older must have a ticket to enter. Children under 12 are free but must be accompanied by a ticketed adult, with a maximum of two children per adult ticket.
Please note that lawn chairs are not provided, so guests are encouraged to bring their own.
VIP tickets can be purchased at elginil.gov/FourthOfJulyVIP.
For a map of the free downtown parking, visit elginil.gov/FourthOfJulyParking. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early due to street closures. Road and parking closures will be shared closer to the event.
For additional information, including a full schedule of events, street closures and downtown parking maps, visit elginil.gov/FourthOfJuly or contact Elgin 311.
