The Aurora area is ready to salute America’s 250th birthday with a variety of activities during the upcoming Fourth of July weekend.
Aurora’s Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration was planned to take place from 6 to 9:45 p.m. Friday, July 3, according to a press release from the city. However, due to predicted storms, the event has been rescheduled to Friday, July 10.
On Saturday, July 4, the city will host its annual Fourth of July parade, beginning at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Benton Street and Broadway in downtown Aurora.
Longtime leader and community member Juanita Wells will serve as this year’s parade grand marshal.
Visitors are encouraged to arrive for the parade before 9:30 a.m. to provide enough time for parking and viewing preparation on the parade route, according to officials.
Immediately following the parade, the Grand Army of the Republic Military Museum will open its latest exhibit, “America’s 250th: How the G.A.R. Shaped Our Nation,” to further commemorate America’s 250th anniversary, as well as the 149th anniversary of the laying of the museum’s cornerstone, the release said.
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The new exhibit explores the political, cultural and economic influence of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Civil War veteran society formed in Decatur, Illinois, in 1866. The exhibit will be on display through Dec. 5.
The Aurora Historical Society will hold its 59th annual Independence Day celebration on the grounds of its Tanner House Museum at Oak Avenue and Cedar Street in Aurora from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. This
is a free, family-oriented event, organizers said.
The historic Tanner House, built in 1857, will be open for tours during the celebration, according to a press release about the event. Outside, a few classic cars will be on site, and activities will include face painting and balloon creations, and a performance by Wacky Juggler Andy Head, organizers said.
During the event, Wurst Kitchen will be on hand grilling and selling brats, hot dogs, chips and drinks, according to the release.
At 1 p.m., children in attendance will ring the historic bells on site. The bells on the museum grounds are
the old Center School Bell, cast in 1869, and the Aurora Liberty Bell, originally made to commemorate the end of World War I in 1918, the release said.
Immediately after the ringing of the bells, the Aurora American Legion Band will give a 30-minute patriotic musical performance. The band, affiliated with Roosevelt-Aurora Post 84, has been making music since
1937, event organizers said.
North Aurora will hold its Fourth of July celebration on Friday, July 3, starting at 5 p.m. at North Aurora Riverfront Park.
Organizers invite the community to bring in their own blankets and chairs, food and drinks to the event, and there will be food options to purchase at the park as well.
There will be live music from 6 to 9 p.m. with The Simple Remedy taking the stage.
The evening will end with fireworks, which will launch at approximately 9:30 p.m., according to officials.
Parking will be available at North Island Park and various village lots near State Street, officials said.
Yorkville will celebrate the Fourth of July with a variety of activities on Saturday, July 4.
The Independence Day Parade will begin at 9 a.m. at Yorkville High School and end at Town Square Park.
The parade route will go from Game Farm Road to Somonauk Street, Church Street, West Main Street and end at the park, city officials said.
There will be activities at Town Square Park beginning immediately after the parade and ending at noon. Activities will include children’s foot races, bounce houses and a performance by the Yorkville Community Band. In addition to family activities, food and drinks will be available for purchase from local vendors at Town Square, officials said.
Yorkville’s Independence Day fireworks and drone show will begin at 9:30 p.m. For information on the best viewing locations, go to https://www.yorkville.il.us/567/Independence-Day-Celebration.
Oswego will hold an Independence Day celebration from 3:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at Prairie Point Park, 4120 Plainfield Road in Oswego.
The event will feature live music all afternoon long; a car show; magic shows; a number of food options; and a special Kids Zone featuring laser tag, archery tag and more, organizers said.
A fireworks show choreographed to music will begin shortly after 9 p.m. If weather impacts the fireworks display, fireworks will be moved to July 5, officials said.
The Batavia Fourth of July fireworks show will take place on Saturday, July 4, at Engstrom Park on Main Street, across from Batavia High School.
Observation areas for the show will be at Engstrom Park on Main Street at Millview Drive and the Batavia High School athletic practice fields between Main Street and West Wilson Street, according to a press release about the event.
Alcoholic beverages and dogs are prohibited from all event observation areas, according to Batavia police. Fireworks and sparklers are strictly prohibited within the city limits, police noted.
A variety of food vendors will be on hand at the park beginning at 5 p.m. From 8:30 to 9:15 p.m. the Batavia Community Band will preform. The fireworks show will be held beginning at 9:30 p.m.
To celebrate America’s 250th birthday, the city of St. Charles will host a free patriotic band concert from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at First Street Plaza in downtown St. Charles.
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The Fox Valley Concert Band will play patriotic music during the event, city officials said.
The annual July 4 fireworks in St. Charles will be launched at approximately 9:30 p.m. from Langum Park at Seventh and Madison avenues in the city’s downtown. For more information on the fireworks, go to https://www.stcparks.org/july-4th/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery.
Independence Day festivities are set for Sunday, July 5, in Plano, officials said.
The parade line-up will be held at 12;30 p.m. at Lathrop Park, with the parade starting at 1 p.m., according to officials.
The day ends with fireworks at Plano High School. Gates will open at 7:30 p.m. for the event, with fireworks at dusk.