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After many Independence Day events were canceled in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, communities are eager to come together to celebrate once more.
“There’s a lot of euphoria to finally be together and reconnect,” said Nancy Cummings, executive director of the La Grange Business Association. “This year, we’re celebrating the birthday of the United States, but we’re also celebrating what we just went through as a country and the fact that we can be together again.”
While the village of La Grange itself will not host any Fourth of July events, many local businesses will offer specials to promote the holiday.
La Grange
Palmer Place: Music from the Rooftop
Open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 4, Palmer Place, 56 S. La Grange Road, will celebrate the nation’s birthday with live music on the rooftop from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tank & The Beez will perform a variety of music from folk, country, pop and patriotic Americana. A red, white and blue Bob Pop Punch drink special will be available.
Steak + Vine: Grill Kits
Steak + Vine, 37 S. La Grange Road, is offering to-go grill kits for Fourth of July barbecues. Orders for the grill kits must be placed by July 2 and picked up on July 3. Kits range in price from $90 to $165 based on the proteins patrons select and also will include a house salad, loaded baked potato kit, onion rolls and key lime or chocolate peanut butter pie. Customers can choose between four 16-ounce Berkshire pork chops, four center-cut filets and four 16-ounce prime rib eyes.
Vintage Charm: Patriotic-themed retail offers
Retailers throughout the area such as Vintage Charm will be selling patriotic items leading up to the holiday. Vintage Charm, 729 W. Hillgrove Ave., is featuring red, white and blue clothing, shoes, jewelry and home goods. Vintage Charm will be closed on the Fourth of July.
La Grange Community Center: Year of the Black Woman Pop Up Shop & Day Party
The La Grange Community Center will be the site of a pop-up shop dedicated to showcasing local Black-owned businesses in recognition of the Fourth of July. The event will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. July 3 at 200 S. Washington St. It will feature businesses such as Rakita’s Boutique, The Bae Shope and Melted Wick.
Wheaton
July 3: Fireworks at Graf Park
The Wheaton Park District will host fireworks at Graf Park, 1855 Manchester Road. Lawn games, concessions and giveaways will be hosted throughout the evening, and a DJ will play music leading up to the fireworks display. The display is expected to begin at 9 p.m. or dusk. Alcoholic beverages, sparklers and smoke bombs are prohibited.
July 4: Parade
The annual Wheaton Park District’s Independence Day parade returns after the COVID-19 pandemic canceled last year’s event. The parade will step off at 11 a.m. July 4 in downtown Wheaton. Parade participants will march down Main Street and finish near Memorial Park. For those hoping to watch the parade, parking will be available at three locations: the first and second floor of the Wheaton Place Garage, 232 W. Wesley St.; the first floor of the Willow Avenue Garage, 220 S. Cross St.; and Public Parking Lot No. 2, located on the south side of the 100 block of Wesley St.
Glen Ellyn
July 4: Glen Ellyn’s 4th of July Parade
The Glen Ellyn 4th of July Committee met in March to determine whether the state of Illinois would be in a safe place to host Fourth of July events. At that time, the committee decided to have the annual parade and fireworks display, but to cancel the food truck event. New this year and to accommodate those who are uncertain about attending in-person events, the parade and fireworks will be live-streamed.
The parade will begin at noon in downtown Glen Ellyn and will start on Ellyn Avenue heading west on Crescent Boulevard, then north on Main Street and east on Linden Avenue to Lake Ellyn. The fireworks display will begin at dusk at Lake Ellyn Park. For live-stream links and a map of the parade, visit GlenEllyn4thofJuly.org.
Downers Grove
July 4: Independence Day Fireworks
While the village of Downers Grove has decided not to host its Independence Day Parade in 2021 because of ongoing COVID-19 uncertainty, the annual fireworks display will take place. The display will begin at 9:30 p.m. at 75th Street and Lemont Road and is sponsored by the village of Downers Grove and the village of Woodridge. Social distancing and other safety protocols will be in place in accordance with guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Illinois Department of Public Health, according to the village of Downers Grove website.
Westmont: 4th of July Celebration at Ty Warner Park
Celebrating its 100th anniversary, Westmont’s 4th of July celebration hopes to be bigger than ever with crafts, concessions, food trucks, live music and fireworks. The celebration will take place July 4 with fireworks set to begin at 9:30 p.m. at Ty Warner Park, 800 Blackhawk Drive. WoogieRolls, Dope Sandwich Food Truck and 2TwistedChefs food trucks are three of the six food trucks that will be on site, according to the village’s website. Whiskey Hill also will be present with its Westmont Centennial Amber Ale, available only on July 4.
The celebration will follow IDPH guidelines and safety measures will be in place during the festivities. IDPH also will be present to host a COVID-19 Closed Pod Vaccination Clinic from 4 to 8 p.m. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be administered to those who register for the clinic, and registration can be completed in advance or on site. The clinic will be located near the first-aid tent at the southeast entrance of Ty Warner Park. There will be 100 doses available.
Berwyn
July 2: Independence Day Weekend Fireworks
Sponsored by World’s Largest Laundromat, Berwyn’s fireworks display will begin at 9 p.m. at the Morton West High School Football Stadium, 2400 Home Ave. The ceremony and raffles will begin a half hour earlier at 8:30 p.m. Prior to the fireworks display, the Cook County Department of Public Health and the city of Berwyn will host a COVID-19 vaccination event for those 12 and older. The vaccination event will take place from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Morton West Campus, door No. 29, and those who receive a vaccine at the event will receive a coupon for a free Culver’s custard and be entered into a raffle to win an Apple iPad.