O say can you see … bombs bursting in air?
Why, yes, you can, because they’ll be bursting all over the Elgin area starting Saturday and continuing into next week as the Fox Valley celebrates the Fourth of July with fireworks displays and many other events. Here’s a rundown of what’s scheduled:
Carpentersville
- 10 a.m. Saturday, June 29: An Independence Day parade steps off from South Lincoln Avenue and West Main Street, heading east down Main Street, south down Washington Avenue, east on Spring Street, north on North Lord Avenue and east on Maple Avenue before ending at Carpenter Park, 275 N. Maple Ave., according to the village website, www.cville.org/516/Independence-Day-Parade.
- 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 29: Dundee Township Park District will hold a July 4 celebration in Meadowdale Park at Besinger Drive and Maple Avenue, featuring seven food vendors, a disc jockey, mariachi band, magician, glow zone, library booth and climbing tree. A fireworks display will start about 9:30 p.m. For more information, go to www.dtpd.org/fireworks-and-community-event.
South Elgin
- 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July, the Vintage Swing Band will perform at Panton Mill Park, 9 N. Water St. along the west bank of the Fox River. The concert will feature big band classics and swing-infused modern favorites, and food trucks will be onsite selling concessions. For more information, go to www.southelgin.com.
Elgin
- 8:30 a.m. Thursday, July 4: Inaugural Fourth of July pet parade starts at Douglas Avenue near Ann Street and makes its way to Elgin City Hall, 150 Dexter Court.
- 9 a.m. Thursday, July 4: Fourth of July Parade steps off at Grove Avenue and Division Street, near Elgin City Hall. Gail Borden Public Library, celebrating its 150th anniversary, has been named the parade grand marshal.
- 5 p.m. Thursday, July 4: Fourth of July concert/festival will feature three bands, food trucks, children’s activities, tabletop games and a pie eating contest in Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave.
- 9:20 p.m. Thursday, July 4: Fourth of July fireworks show begins at 9:20 p.m. in Festival Park.
For more information, go to elginil.gov/july4.
Sleepy Hollow
- 8 a.m. Thursday, July 4: Sleepy Hollow fun run begins and ends at Sleepy Hollow Elementary School, 898 Glen Oak Drive
- 9 a.m. Thursday, July 4: Bob Zdenek Memorial Fishing Derby at Lake Sharon, 1801 Hillcrest Drive.
- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, July 4: A car show at Sabatino Park, 145 Thorobred Lane. The show runs until 2 p.m. Vehicle exhibitor fee is $5, which will go to the Illinois Special Olympics.
- 10:30 to 4 p.m. Thursday, July 4: Fourth of July fest in Sabatino Park, featuring food, games, music and other entertainment. A pie eating contest will be held at 2:30 p.m. Games will close at 3 p.m and music and refreshment service ends at 4 p.m.
- 11:30 a.m. Thursday, July 4: Bill Ritchie Memorial Parade at Sabatino Park featuring children on bikes, skaters, tractors and floats. No registration is required. Anyone wanting to participate should meet at 11 a.m. at the Sleepy Hollow Pool parking lot, 897 Glen Oak Drive.
- 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 5: Sleepy Hollow Service Club’s fireworks display will be held at Sabatino Park. Parking opens at 7 p.m. Donation of $20 donation per car requested to offset the cost of the fireworks.
All events are sponsored by the Sleepy Hollow Service Club. For more information, go to www.sleepyhollowil.org/community/page/service-club.
Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
