Evergreen Park, Summit fireworks kick off fun-filled Fourth of July weekend

By Bob Bong

Evergreen Park’s parade and fireworks along with a party in the park and fireworks in Summit and the inaugural four-day Lyons Fest will start off what promises to be a fun-filled and noisy Fourth of July weekend in the area.

Evergreen Park

Evergreen Park native and Olympic silver medalist, Abbey Murphy, will be this year’s Grand Marshal for the Evergreen Park Independence Day Parade, which will return this year on Friday, July 1, at 6:30 p.m. after a two-year pause for the pandemic.

The parade kicks off at 95th and Springfield then travels down 95th Street to Richmond then north to 91st Street.

Fireworks will follow the parade at Duffy Park at dusk.

Marching bands, elected officials, local sports teams, schools, neighborhood groups are all expected to take part.

There’s also a home decorating contest for village residents.

Lyons Fest

A four-day Lyons Fest will celebrate our nation’s birthday this year in Lyons with music, games, carnival rides, food vendors expected at Veterans Park from Friday, July 1, to Monday, July 4. Admission is free.

The fest opens at 4 p.m. Friday and music will be provided from 6-8 p.m. by The Redmonds, followed by Strung Out from 8-10 p.m.

Gates open at noon on Saturday. Musical acts will be from noon to 1 p.m. The Sonia Downs Band; from 1:15-2:15 p.m. Marty “Big Dog” Mercer; from 2:30-3:30 p.m.  Lauren Anderson Band; from 3:50-4:50 p.m. Gerald “The Soulkeeper” McClendon & Band; from 5:10-6:25 p.m. Gyasi; 6:45-8:15 p.m. Felix Y Los Gatos; 8:45-10:30 p.m. Mud Morganfield (Muddy Waters Jr.)

Summit siblings Ari, Jimmy and Hope Troche getting ready for fireworks at Summit Park in 2021. (Photo by Carol McGowan)

On Sunday, festival opens at noon. Music will start at 3:15 p.m. by Sin Anestesia (Hispanic); from 5:30-7:30 p.m. by Zorila; from 8-10 p.m. ARRA.

On Monday, the parade steps off at 1 p.m. The festival opens at 3 p.m. Music starts at 3 p.m. by Shades of Country; from 5-7 p.m. by Wedding Banned; from 7:30-9:30 p.m. by Gone 2 Paradise.

Fireworks are scheduled to start at 9:30 p.m.

The village said it will be opening Smith Park for parking during the festival.

Summit

The Village of Summit and the Summit Park District will hold an Independence Day Celebration on Friday, July 1, at Summit Park, 5700 S. Archer Road. There will be music, food and fun starting at 4 p.m. Fireworks will commence at dusk.

Stars and Stripes 5K Run

The Stars and Stripes 5K Run will be held Saturday, July 2, on Chicago’s Southwest Side at Wentworth Park, 57^th and Narragansett. Participants must be capable of maintaining a 16-minute per mile pace for the event.

The race begins at 8 a.m. and an awards ceremony will be held at 9:30 a.m. back at Wentworth Park.

The cost of the event is $35 for adults and $25 for kids age 17 and younger. Prices will increase on June 1, so participants are encouraged to register soon at tri-builders.org/events.

The race course starts near 57^th and Narragansett, then south to 59^th Street, west to Nordica, north to 56^th Street, east to Merrimac, south to 58^th Street, west to Narragansett and then north to about 57^th Street.

Parking will be available at the Kennedy High School parking lot near 56^th Street and Narragansett. The lot closes at 7:25 and re-opens at 9:30 a.m. Parking is also available at the old TCF bank at 55^th Street and Narragansett.

There are more than a dozen award categories for both adults and kids 12 and younger. The course is USATF certified.

For more information, visit tri-builders.org/events.

Brookfield

Brookfield will hold its annual Fourth of July Parade starting at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 4. The parade will start at Grand and Garfield and march down Grand to Prairie.

The Redmonds will kick off the Party in the Park at Kiwanis Park immediately following the parade at 12:30 p.m. The part was cancelled last year due to the pandemic.

Bridgeview

The Bridgeview Park District is celebrating on Sunday, July 3, with food trucks and music in advance of a fireworks show at 9:15 p.m. at Commissioners Park, 8100 S. Beloit Ave. DJ Mike “The Italian Stallion” will provide the music.

Riverside

Riverside will celebrate with its Festival in the Park all day on Monday, July 4, at Guthrie Park.

The day will start with the 44th annual Independence Day 5K Run at 7:30 a.m. Goodie bags and Dri-Balance Shirts will be given to all of the registered runners.

The parade starts at 8:45 a.m. at Longcommon Road and Burling Road and ends at Guthrie Park at 10 a.m. The parade will feature the Medinah Flying Carpets, and the Big Shoulders Brass Band.

There will be food and beverages for sale at the festival. Music from the Big Shoulders Brass Band.

Oak Lawn

Oak Lawn’s annual Fourth of July parade will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, July 2, from 95th Street and 51st Avenue to 95th Street and 55th Court.  The parade features many local businesses, organizations and entertainment.

Following the parade and starting at 6:30 p.m. there will be post parade entertainment on the Village Green featuring the band, Young Guns.  This event will include food and fun.

The fireworks display will take place the next day on Monday, the Fourth of July, at Harold L. Richards High School at dusk.

Worth

The Independence Day celebration will take place from 5-9 p.m. Sunday, July 3, at Altman Park. This year there will be bags tournament starting at 5:45 p.m. Entry fee is $24 per team with cash prizes for the winning team. Entry deadline is 5:30 p.m. Fireworks are scheduled to start at dusk.

Orland Park

The Village of Orland Park has a fun-filled weekend planned for the celebration of America’s birthday. Things kick off on Friday, July 1, at 7 p.m. with the annual Veterans Liberty Fun Run and Walk and close things out with the best fireworks show around on July 4.

On July 4, the Village will host an Independence Day Celebration that includes a free concert beginning at 7:15 p.m.  Local band 4CAST will headline the night’s concert, performing musical selections with something for everyone. After the concert, the village will present the nation’s colors as it salutes the men and women of the armed forces. At 9:15 p.m. the village will present a musically choreographed fireworks show to close out the celebration.

Guests are invited to bring their picnic set up, snacks and beverages and join their community for an evening of music and fun. Concessions, beer and wine will be available for purchase at the event.

Orland Park’s Mitch Good and Abby Farrar helped represent the Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital at the Palos Heights Fourth of July parade last year. (Photo by Jeff Vorva)

Palos Heights

Traditionally, the city celebrates the holiday over a two-day span.

Party day will be Sunday, July 3.

Inflatables and games for kids will take place at Memorial Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wristbands for unlimited access to the inflatables are $20.

The party will shift to Memorial Park at 5 p.m. when gates open.

A DJ will provide music from 5-6:45 p.m. when Mayor Bob Straz will make some remarks. Beer tent and food vendors will be going from 5-9:15 p.m. The band Soda will perform at the Gazebo from 7-9 p.m. A 30-minute fireworks show will conclude the evening at 9:15 p.m.

Food vendors will include Taco Burrito King, Aurelio’s Pizza, BoJos, Tropical Sno, and Rainbow Cone.

The celebration concludes on Monday, July 4, with a parade that starts at the Sensory Friendly Zone at 120^th Street and Harlem Avenue at noon. It will proceed to College Drive.