The Fourth of July is past, but the Independence Day holiday weekend has much more to offer for fun-filled celebrations in the McHenry County area, through Sunday and beyond.
Here’s our updated list of what’s still in store:
[ All about Lakeside Festival in Crystal Lake ]
Lakeside Festival, Crystal Lake, July 4-7
One of the largest and longest-running summer festivals in McHenry County returns from July 4 through July 7 on the grounds of the historic Dole Mansion and Lakeside Arts Park in Crystal Lake.
Enjoy exciting live music, delicious food, a broad selection of beer and wine, unlimited carnival rides, kids activities, a bags tournament and more.
The gate charge for each day is $10 for ages 13 and up, $5 for seniors 65 and older and free for children 12 and under. The festival is going cashless this year for all entrance ticket and beer garden ticket sales. Credit cards, debit cards and mobile pay options will be accepted. Food vendors will accept cash.
The annual Children’s Bike Parade, hosted by the Crystal Lake chapter of Women of Today, steps off across from Main Beach at 11:55 a.m. July 6. Participants are asked to line up at 11:30 a.m.
For a full lineup of the Lakeside Festival’s 14 scheduled musical acts, registration for the bags tournament, a full event schedule and to purchase tickets, visit thedole.org/the-fest.
![Fireworks dazzle the sky above Crystal Lake on Sunday, July 2, 2023, at Crystal Lake’s Main Beach during Crystal Lake Annual Independence Day Celebration.](https://www.shawlocal.com/resizer/YIYcJ8JyLyCugZgCHUJZh7PE8hs=/1440x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/V6NYZ4BHT5FYXGULCLYG3DV7BM.jpg)
Fourth of July Festival and Fireworks, Sleepy Hollow, July 4-5
Sleepy Hollow’s July Fourth festivities begin with a one-mile fun run at 8 a.m. Thursday, July 4, starting at Sleepy Hollow Elementary School, followed by the Bob Zdenek Memorial Fishing Derby at 9 a.m. at Lake Sharon.
Refreshments open at 10:30 a.m., followed by the Bill Ritchie Memorial Parade at 11:30 a.m.around Sabatino Park. To participate in the parade, meet at the Sleepy Hollow Pool parking lot at 11 a.m. No registration is required.
The Service Club Car Show runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a requested donation of $5 from exhibitors for Illinois Special Olympics. Food, games, live musical performances and a pie-eating contest follow at 2:30 p.m. Games close at 3 p.m. and the music and refreshment will wind down around 4 p.m.
Return to the park at 7 p.m. Friday, July 5, for the fireworks display. A donation of $20 is requested to offset the cost of the fireworks.
Wonder Lake Independence Day Celebration, July 5-7
Wonder Lake’s annual Independence Day Celebration runs from Friday, July 5, through Sunday, July 7, starting with Venetian Night at dusk on July 5.
Food trucks, music and fun for kids start at 11 a.m. July 6 on Hancock Drive, followed by a parade at 1 p.m. and the Wonder Dog 2024 contest directly following the parade at the East Side Fire House. A ski show will be held at 4:30 p.m. at Wonder Center Beach, followed by fireworks at dusk.
From 2 to 4 p.m. on July 7, free pontoon rides will be launched from the Wonder Lake Marina, 4019 E. Lake Shore Drive, to wrap up the celebration. For updates and more information, go to tinyurl.com/WL4TH.
Fox River Grove fireworks, July 6
Enjoy food trucks, dinner served by the Fox River Grove Lions Club and music from DJ Lee Powers at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 6, at Picnic Grove Park before the fireworks start at dusk.
Fiesta Days, McHenry, July 11-21
McHenry’s Fiesta Days celebration, hosted by McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce, will run from July 11-21 with events at Petersen Park, Veterans Memorial Park and downtown locations. The festival is packed full of events, including a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 14.
For a full list of events, including an art and street fair, music festival, Cask and Barrel Night and parade, visit mchenryfiestadays.com.
Day in the Park, Marengo, July 13
Celebrate the summer with Marengo’s annual Day in the Park from 2 to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 13, at Indian Oaks Park, 825 Indian Oaks Trail. Activities will include concessions, a craft fair, touch-a-truck, car show, beer tent, bucking bull, dunk tanks, petting zoo with pony rides, trackless train rides, games and fireworks at dusk.
Island Lake fireworks, July 13
Island Lake will hold its fireworks display from 8 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, July 13. Eastway Boat Launch and Dorothy Beach will be closed for parking on the day of the fireworks display.
Do you have an event to add to this listing? Email us at tips@nwherald.com.