Fox Valley communities ready for Fourth of July fests

After Elgin's Fourth of July Parade, the Americana Jubilee will feature pie-eating contests, a bake-off, a dunk tank, games and more. Courtesy of Americana Jubilee

Events such as parades, free concerts, pie-eating contests and fireworks give Fourth of July festivals in the Fox Valley a small-town feel, even when there are several thousand people celebrating.

The Daily Herald checked in with several communities to find out what's happening on the Fourth.

Batavia

Batavia's "Sky Concert" on Monday provides an opportunity for residents to come out to Engstrom Park, 326 Millview Drive, to enjoy some food, music and, of course, the fireworks.

"It's the biggest event in Batavia year after year," Second Ward Alderman Marty Callahan said. "It's definitely one of the big memory makers for everybody in town."

At 5 p.m., people can begin the celebration with food such as pulled pork, barbecue, Mexican food, funnel cakes, popcorn and more. We're Not, a cover band playing hits from the 1970s to today, will perform from 6 to 8 p.m. The Batavia Community Band takes the stage from 8:15 p.m. up until the fireworks start.

Each year, the "Sky Concert" has a different theme with music to go along with the show. This year's theme is "Flag and Country" because it's the 100th anniversary of Flag Day. The theme is also a nod to Batavia resident Bernard Cigrand, known as the "Father of Flag Day" because of his dedication to having June 14 proclaimed Flag Day.

Fundraisers and donations fund the annual fireworks show, according to officials.

"We've run scarce a few years with not enough money, but we've always come through with the generosity of residents and businesses every year," Callahan said.

For details, visit bataviafireworks.org.

Elgin

On Monday, Elgin's festivities begin with an All-American Pooch Parade at 8:30 a.m. The main parade starts at 9 a.m. and is expected to draw crowds of around 12,000 people and 100 parade participants.

With the parade theme "Go for the Gold," the Downtown Neighborhood Association chose 13-year-old Hannah Oliveros, who is a 2020 Olympics hopeful of Spring Hill Gymnastics, as the Grand Marshal.

"We did research of Olympic hopefuls, and we ended up running across Hannah," DNA executive director Deirdre White said. "(Spring Hill Gymnastics) told us about her and how hard she's been working and what her goals have been. She absolutely loves what she does and that's a part of the Elgin spirit. We are really happy to have her."

After the parade, head to downtown Elgin to check out the numerous shops and restaurants that will be open, as well as Side Street Studio Arts' third annual Americana Jubilee featuring a bake-off, pie-eating contest, live music, the "Generations" visual art exhibition and other activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"It's like a Norman Rockwell Independence Day painting," White said. "People are coming together. It's really a wonderful day after the parade is over in downtown Elgin."

The Grand Victoria Casino will continue its summer concert series with Mark Farner, Rare Earth, Felix Cavaliere's Rascals and Cool Rockin Daddies. Performances start at 5 p.m. Fireworks go off around 9 p.m. near the National Street Bridge. There is free admission to the concert and fireworks show at Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave,

For details, visit downtownelgin.com.

Huntley

Huntley is starting its Fourth of July celebrations early with a Family Fun Day Saturday, July 2.

Families can gather from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Huntley Town Square, 11704 Coral St., to enjoy the farmers market, craft fair, free face painting and kids games.

"It's all community-based. It's all local," said Barb Read, management assistant for the Village of Huntley. "While we are becoming a big community we like to keep that small- town feel, and these are the things we like to do. Parents could come spend an hour or so with their families and the kids are having a ball."

From 8 to 11 a.m., American Legion Post 673 will offer a breakfast buffet.

"It's all homemade. They just have a ton of stuff on their buffet at a reasonable price," Read said. "Everything goes back to the veterans group that they support."

Journey Church is providing decorations for kids and parents to spruce up their bikes and strollers starting at 9 a.m., followed by a small parade around Town Square.

On Monday, July 4, Huntley Community Radio will hold a party with music and games starting between 6 and 7 p.m. at Deicke and Warrington Parks. For the second year, Huntley will have a fireworks show starting at 9:30 p.m., but this time, the show will last 30 minutes.

"It's such a traditional thing to have the fireworks show. It's such a big draw," Read said. "I think they're going to love it. People have been asking for it for a long time. Anywhere in the park you will get a really good view."

Sleepy Hollow

In Sleepy Hollow, between 3,000 and 4,000 people show up each year on the Fourth of July to enjoy the activities the Sleepy Hollow Service Club provides.

"It's a classic, small-town community event," said Bill Grupp, membership chairman of the organization. "I think it's a really nice event where people can just spend the day outside and enjoy the activities."

Activities begin at 8 a.m. Monday in Sabatino Park on Willow Lane and Winmoor Drive with a fun run followed by a fishing derby, car show, carnival games for kids, a pie-eating contest and more. The parade will start at 11:30 a.m. New this year is a bags tournament at 1 p.m. The day will end with fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

For details, visit shsc-il.org.

St. Charles

After five years of working with the same fireworks agency, St. Charles is mixing it up with a new $30,000, 20-25 minute fireworks show from Mad Bomber Fireworks Productions at 9:30 p.m. Monday.

"One of the things that they do differently is that they have a larger shell count. We are looking at about 7,000 shells during that 25-minute display. A different lower-level ground display will go off," superintendent of recreation Jeff Greenwald said.

But before the grand fireworks show -- which can be seen in different places throughout the community, according to Greenwald -- people can visit Pottawatomie Park, 8 North Ave., for miniature golf starting at 9 a.m., swimming at the pool beginning at 11:30 a.m., and a performance by Shout Out, a pop/rock band that plays hits from the past 40 years.

Picnickers can enter the park as early as sunrise to claim their spot for the fireworks show.

"It is amazing though the distance that some people go to secure their picnic place," Greenwald said. "For a lot of families, it's a tradition for them, and they come out every year. There's people grilling and eating at 7 a.m. in the park."

For details, visit stcparks.org.