Aurora area to celebrate the Fourth of July with parades, fireworks and more

Chicago Tribune

01-07-2025

Fireworks, parades and more are in store as the Aurora area prepares to celebrate the Fourth of July.
The city of Aurora will hold its annual Fourth of July fireworks show on Thursday, July 3, city officials said in a press release.
Two viewing locations will be available for the public — the Aurora Transportation Center at 233 N. Broadway and McCullough Park at 150 W. Illinois Ave.
The gates will open at both locations at 6 p.m., with fireworks starting at approximately 9:15 p.m. With numerous food trucks set up at both locations, DJ Suavesmooth will provide music and entertainment at the Aurora Transportation Center, while DJ Pena will provide the music at McCullough Park, the release said.
Six free park-and-ride shuttles will be operating round-trip ride services from 6 to 9 p.m. to help attendees reach both fireworks locations, the release said. The shuttles will resume service following the fireworks show, with the last shuttles departing at 11 p.m., officials said.
For more information on the shuttles, go to https://www.aurora.il.us/Home.
Additionally, the RiverEdge Park Pedestrian Bridge, which is currently closed due to the construction taking place at the park, will be temporarily opened on July 3, allowing attendees from the west side of the Fox River to cross over and watch the fireworks show from the Aurora Transportation Center, officials said.
On Friday, 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. The Reviewing Stand will be placed in front of the David L. Pierce Art and History Center at 20 E. Downer Place, according to the release.
Also on Friday, the Aurora Historical Society will hold its annual Independence Day celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the William Tanner House Museum at the northwest corner of Oak Avenue and Cedar Street on
Aurora's near West Side.
A 60-year tradition, the celebration is a free, family-oriented event open to the whole community, according to a press release from the Historical Society.
During the celebration, the historic Tanner House, built in 1857, will be open for tours, according to the release. Outside on the museum grounds there will be a petting zoo, face painting and balloon creations. Hot dogs, chips, drinks and ice cream will be available for purchase.
Entertainment will kick off at 11 a.m. with a musical performance by the Seidel Family Musicians, the release stated. Juggler Andy Head will perform from 12:15 to 1 p.m. At 1 p.m. the children in attendance will gather to ring the
historic bells at the site, including the old Center School bell (1869) and Aurora's Liberty Bell (1918). The ringing commemorates the first ringing of the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia upon adoption of the
Declaration of Independence in 1776, the release stated.
The ringing of the bells will be followed by a patriotic mini-concert by the American Legion Band. The afternoon will conclude with a pie-eating contest, according to the release.
North Aurora will hold its annual Independence Day Celebration on Thursday, July 3, at North Aurora Riverfront Park, with festivities starting at 5 p.m.
Organizers invite the community to bring in their own blankets and chairs, food and drinks to the event
There will be live music from 6 to 9 p.m. with Hillbilly Rockstarz taking the stage.
Parking will be available at North Island Park and various village lots near State Street, officials said.
The evening will end with fireworks, which will launch at approximately 9:30 p.m., according to officials.
Yorkville will celebrate the Fourth of July with a variety of activities on Friday, 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.
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 show will begin at dusk and will be shot off near the corner of Route 47 and Countryside Parkway.
Oswego's Independence Day fireworks event will be held from 8 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 4, at Prairie Point Park,
4120 Plainfield Road in Oswego.
The Batavia Fourth of July fireworks show will take place on Friday, July 4, at Engstrom Park on Main Street, across from Batavia High School.
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.
The annual July 4 fireworks in St. Charles on Friday will be launched from Langum Park at Seventh and Madison avenues in the city's downtown.
The fireworks can be seen along the Fox River with the best viewing locations in downtown St. Charles, south of Main Street, event organizers said.
For more on the fireworks, go to the St. Charles Park District website at https://www.stcparks.org/july-4th/.
The city of Plano is planning a number of activities on Sunday, July 6, to celebrate Independence Day.
Scout Troop 71 and Cub Pack 317 will host a Fun Fest featuring a variety of activities from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lathrop Park on North Street in Plano.
The annual Family Walking Parade will begin lining up at 12:30 p.m. and kick off at 1 p.m. at Lathrop Park. Families and kids are invited to decorate strollers, bicycles, wagons and themselves to join in a parade with fire trucks, police cars and antique tractors, organizers said. No reservation or sign-up is required.
Youth organizations and sports teams are also invited to participate, organizers said. To secure a spot, call Plano Mayor Mike Rennels at 630-552-8275.
The day ends with fireworks at Plano High School. Those attending can sit in the stands at Reaper Stadium, located at 704 W. Abe St., or bring chairs and set-up in designated areas. Gates will open at 7:30 p.m., with concessions offered by Plano Sports Boosters.
Fireworks will begin at dusk. No alcohol, tobacco, firearms, coolers or tailgating are allowed at the event, organizers said.