The Fourth of July this Saturday is a day-long celebration in Elgin, starting with a parade — the grand marshal this year is the YWCA of Elgin, celebrating its 125th anniversary — and wrapping up with a downtown celebration and fireworks show.
Stepping off at 9 a.m. from the intersection of Slade and Douglas avenues, the parade route travels south on Douglas and ends at Grove and Highland avenues, near Elgin City Hall.
Seating is available along Grove Avenue in the public right-of-way, according to information posted at elginil.gov/1740/Fourth-of-July.
The parade has 101 units marching this year.
“We encourage everyone attending the Fourth of July parade to plan ahead,” city spokesperson Josie Beecher-Crotty said. “Arrive early to find a good spot along the route, and consider bringing a chair and a bag for any giveaways passed out during the parade.
“Most importantly, come ready to have fun, bring your energy and help us celebrate ‘America250’ in Elgin,” Beecher-Crotty said.
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In advance of the parade, several downtown streets will be off limits for parking and open only to local traffic starting at 7 a.m. Saturday. Those streets include:
Douglas Avenue from Slade Avenue to Kimball Street;
Brook Street from Slade Avenue to Kimball Street;
Grove Avenue from Slade Avenue to Kimball Street.
Closed to vehicle traffic from 7 a.m. to midnight Saturday are the following streets. Any car parked on them after 6 a.m. will be towed, according to city officials.
Kimball Street from Dundee Avenue to North Grove Avenue;
Douglas Avenue from River Bluff Road to East Chicago Street;
Highland Avenue from Spring Street to North Grove Avenue.
“All cross streets between Spring and Douglas from Kimball Highland are closed during parade hours to allow for parade disbandment traffic,” the city website said.
For the third consecutive year, there also will be a Fourth of July Pet Parade that starts at 9 a.m. at the intersection of Douglas Avenue and Ann Street. There are 60 pets signed up but anyone can register to participate Saturday at where the process steps off.
The grand marshal is a pup named Parker, who was chosen through an online contest held last week.
Elgin’s Fourth of July Celebration and Fireworks will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. at downtown Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave.
Three bands are set to perform: JUMP-America’s Van Halen Experience performs Van Halen classics; Journey From the Heart, a Journey tribute band; and Petty Betty, which does songs of all genres.
Food trucks will be available, but festival-goers can also bring their own food. Alcohol and pets are not permitted on festival grounds. The celebration includes family activities and a pie-eating contest.
A fireworks show starts around 9:20 p.m.
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The (Elgin) Courier-News.