The height of a kids’ summer just might top the Ferris wheel and all the fun that comes along with the annual Beecher 4th of July Carnival. Referred to as The Festival Market, for more than 97 years the Beecher Fourth of July celebration has brought thousands of visitors to town in celebration of our Nation’s birth.
The first celebration was organized by the Beecher Volunteer Fire Department in 1913 to generate funding for the department. The event was hosted by the fire department until 2000 when the Fourth of July Commission was formed to continue the tradition. The four-day festival includes food, carnival rides, a parade, vendor market, and one of the most notable fireworks displays throughout the area. A & A Attractions will provide carnival, food, gaming, and more. The rides include Berry-go-round, bumper cars, Dragon Wagon, Eagle 16 Wheel, G Wiz, Great Western Train, Jolly Choo Choo, Caterpillar, Tate Fire, merry-go-round, Mini Disco, motorcycle jump, Octopus pony cart, Safari Train, Sea Ray, Space Age, Super Sizzler, Super Slide, bounce house, Tea Cups, tilt-a-whirl, Tornado, Vortex 2, and Zipper.
July 2
Festival Market open from 6 p.m. – midnight
The carnival will be held July 2-5 this year. On July 2, there also will be a Kid and Pet Parade, with a 5:45 p.m. kickoff. Line-up begins at 5:30 p.m., at Peace Lutheran Church. Wristbands will be sold from 6 – 10 p.m., for $30. At 6 p.m., there will be a Festival Market and Bingo opens. From 6 – 7 p.m., the band “Revenant,” from the School of Rock in Mokena, will perform. Then from 8 – 11 p.m., the main stage will host “Rocky Road Band,” sponsored by MBI, Inc.
July 3
Festival Market open from 6 p.m. – midnight
July 3, from 6 p.m. to midnight, again features the Festival Market and Bingo. At 8 p.m., “All American Throwback,” sponsored by the Village of Beecher, will perform on the main stage until 11 p.m. From 6 – 10 p.m., there will be $30 wristbands.
July 4
Festival Market open from 2 p.m. – midnight
On July 4,, the day kicks off with the 7 a.m. lineup for the annual Beecher Lion’s Club Freedom 5K Race. The race begins at 8 a.m., followed by a 2 p.m. opening of the Festival Market. At 2:30, parade registration begins at the Princess Café, on the corner of Penfield and Rt. 1. The parade, themed “A Day at the Zoo,” will start at 4 p.m., with Greg Ohlendorf as the 2025 parade marshal. The route will include Miller, Elliot, Indiana, Gould, Hodges, Woodward, Indiana, Catalpa, and will end at Hodges Street.
The festivities continue throughout the day. At 5 p.m., the beer stand opens, followed by bingo at 6 p.m., which will continue until fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. This year marks the final occasion they will be presented at Lions Park. Wristbands will be sold from 1 – 6 p.m. and again from 7 – 11 p.m., for $30. At 7 p.m., the “Ryan Craig Band,” sponsored by First Community Bank and Trust, will take the stage until 11 p.m.
July 5
Festival Market open from 2 p.m. – midnight
The Festival Market opens at 2 pm. Registration begins at 1 p.m. for the 2 p.m. Bean Bag Tournament in the beer garden. Prairie 4-H Expo is from 2 – 6 p.m. Free face painting is open from 2 – 4 p.m. From 4 to 10 p.m. there is bingo. At 4 p.m., the Chamber of Commerce will have their annual Pork Chop dinner until they sell out. Wristbands will be sold from 2 to 6 p.m. and again from 6 to 10 p.m., for $30. From 5 – 6 p.m., the band, “Too Negative,” from the School of Rock in Mokena, will hit the stage.
The village has purchased a car from Dralle Chevrolet and is a 2025 Chevy Trax 2RS. The crimson metallic vehicle has a jet black interior, with red accents. The winner will be drawn on Saturday, July 5, at 11 p.m., along with other raffles. Winners need not be present. The winner will be responsible for reporting and paying taxes and title and for picking up the vehicle from Beecher Village Hall. Online tickets will be added to the raffle drum as they are purchased. Other raffles will be called from that night, as well. Ticket prices are one ticket for $5, six tickets for $20, and 20 tickets for $50.
With all the bells, whistles, and clanking of the magical rides, the memories are fresh to be made. The Beecher Fourth of July carnival is a slice of Americana that leaves sparkling memories long after the last sparkler has burned out. For more information, please refer to the Village of Beecher website at www.VillageofBeecher.org. Times and schedule are subject to change.