Local Fourth of July celebrations say ‘Happy Birthday’ to America

By Isabella Schreck

The southwest suburbs are bringing the red, white and blue spirit to the area with festivals, fireworks and fun this Fourth of July.

Evergreen Park and Lyons host the earliest Independence Day events. This year’s five-day Lyons Fest begins Friday, June 30, and Evergreen Park’s parade marches the same day.

Here’s a breakdown of the parades, festivals and fireworks shows on tap for this holiday weekend.

Palos Heights 

Palos Heights’ two-day Fourth of July affair kicks off with inflatables and games at 10 a.m. Monday, July 3, at Community Park on 76th Avenue. Wristbands for the unlimited inflatable play cost $20 per person and are currently being sold for $15 for residents until June 30.

Live music, a beer tent and vendors will keep the party going, starting at 5 p.m. at Memorial Park on West College Drive. The fireworks show begins at 9:15 p.m.

The city’s annual parade kicks off at noon, Tuesday, July 4, and will march down Harlem Avenue.

Cal-Sag Trail will be closed Monday, July 3. The trail will be closed between Fuller’s Car Wash and Lake Katherine for the Palos Heights Fireworks Show per the Palos Fire Protection District.

Orland Park

The Village of Orland Park has a fun-filled weekend planned for the celebration of America’s birthday.

Things kick off on July 3 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 at 9:30 p.m. at Centennial Park.

Participants are invited to run the 2-mile course or walk or jog the 1-mile course that starts at the 153^rd Street Metra Station and meanders through Centennial Park for the Veterans Liberty Run and Walk

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to local veterans’ organizations. Onsite registration and packet pick-up begins at 5:30 p.m. on July 1 at the race site. All participants receive a dri-fit race shirt, a USA hand flag, a pass for one free admission to the Centennial Park Aquatic Center, post-race refreshments and entry into a prize raffle. Awards will be given for top overall male and female finisher and the top three male and female finishers in each age group of the 2-mile run.

Not quite ready for the 1 to 2-mile trek? Children of all ages can participate in the Kids’ 50-yard dash. The Dash, which is free, begins at 7:30p.m. at the 153^rd Street Metra station at the conclusion of Liberty Run. Pre-registration is not required, all who wish to participate should be ready to go at 7:30 p.m.

On July 4, the Village will host an Independence Day Celebration that includes a free concert beginning at 7:15 p.m.  Local band The Davenport Project will headline the night’s concert, performing musical selections with something for everyone. After the concert, at 9:30 p.m. the village will present a musically choreographed fireworks show to close out the celebration of America’s independence.

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.

Worth

“The Jukebox Heroes” will bring “hits from yesterday and today” to Worth’s July 3 celebration from 6-9 p.m. at Altman Park at 11500 S. Beloit Ave. The night will be filled with live music, yard games and nearby fireworks at dusk. A bags tournament, which has a $25 entrance fee per team and offers cash prizes, begins at 6:15 p.m. For information, call 708-448-7080.

Oak Lawn

Oak Lawn is moving its Independence Day parade from the Fourth of July to Saturday, July 1.

The parade will kick off at 4 p.m. and march down 95^th Street from 51^st Avenue to Premo’s Ice Cream shop at 5540 W. 99^th St. The community party will begin at 6 p.m. at the Village Green with music, food and entertainment.

The fireworks show will take place as usual on the Fourth of July at dusk at Richards High School.

Evergreen Park 

Led by those currently serving in the military, veterans and their families, Evergreen Parks’ annual Independence Day Parade starts at 6 p.m. Friday, June 30. The parade begins at 95th Street and Springfield and then proceeds east on 95th Street to Richmond Ave. The route concludes at 91st Street.

A “spectacular” fireworks show will fire off at dusk at Martin B. Duffy Park at 92nd Street and Ridgeway the same day. A rain date for the fireworks is scheduled for Friday, July 7.

Lyons

The village will hold a free, five-day Lyons Fest to usher in the holiday with a packed schedule of music, carnival rides, vendors, food and drinks at Veterans Park, 4100 Lawndale Ave., starting with Jolly Ringwalds and The Redmonds on Friday, June 30.

The Jolly Ringwalds, an ‘80s band, plays from 6-8 p.m., and The Redmonds, who play a variety of music including originals, will jam out from 8:30-10:30 p.m.

On Saturday, Red, White & Blues featuring various blues artists, will run from 4-8:30 p.m. Carolyn Wonderland, a Texas Blues artist, closes the night from 9-10:30 p.m.

Zorila will kick off Sunday, July 2, festivities with its indie-rock music from 6-8 p.m.. Breakfast Club, an 80s-cover band, will play from 8:30-10:30 p.m.

FUZE Band, which features jazz, Latin and rock music, among others, will play from 6-8 p.m. Monday, July 3, and Run Forrest Run, a ‘90s cover band, rocks the crowd from 8:30-10:30 p.m.

The annual Independence Day parade starts at 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 4, heading north from 46^th Street. A fireworks display will begin at dusk.

Summit 

The Village of Summit and the Summit Park District will hold Independence Day festivities starting at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 2, at Summit Park, 5700 S. Archer Road. The village’s Party in the Park will feature music, vendors and “fun.” The annual fireworks show begins at dusk. Parking is limited.

Brookfield

Brookfield will celebrate with its annual Fourth of July parade at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 4. The route begins at Garfield and Grand and will head down Grand Boulevard to Brookfield Avenue. The march finishes at the Village Hall.

The Redmonds, with a variety of cover and original song selections, will headline the Party in the Park from 12:30-2:30 p.m. at Kiwanis Park off Brookfield Avenue. The PriSSillas, an all-girl cover band based in Chicago, play from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, food and coolers.

Bridgeview

The Bridgeview Park District is “celebrating our nation’s independence in a big way” on Monday, July 3, with a DJ, food trucks and fireworks at Commissioners Park at 8100 S. Beloit Ave. The fireworks show begins at 9:15 p.m., and food trucks are open all night. Mike “The Italian Stallion,” the night’s DJ, will bring on the tunes. People can also purchase glow sticks and light-up trinkets at the event.

Pleasant Dale Park District

Pleasant Dale Park District will hold its Independence Day party at Walker Park, 7425 S. Wolf Road, Burr Ridge, starting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 3.

The Park District will offer fun family yard games, a balloon artist, a dunk tank, and bounce house. Food vendors selling snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be at the park starting at 5:30 p.m.

The Pleasant Dale Parks Foundation will sponsor a Gellyball inflatable shooting booth.

Fireworks show begins at dusk.

Additional parking is available at 800 Burr Ridge Parkway, Burr Ridge, in the old TCF Bank in the Burr Ridge Village Center. Complementary shuttle service will begin there at 6 p.m. and will run throughout the night. The bus will drop off at Pleasant Dale Middle School and will return to the bank parking lot after the fireworks have ended.