“Hurrah for the flag of the free. May it wave as our standard forever,” (cue the wicked piccolo solo).
You’ll be humming everyone’s favorite Sousa "smash single," (Stars & Stripes Forever) as you scour through our 2019 guide to the Fourth of July in Lake County.
We all live for that moment when we look to the sky and anxiously await our favorite brand of boom and color spatter from a Lake County fireworks show. Then viewers their starry-eyed “ooh’s and ahh’s,” (some of us get 3D glasses to see if they work, but they never do) as we hope our favorite kind of firework will be the next one to light up the smiling faces around us. (Mine are those white ones that look like fairy dust and make that uber-loud bang! I also like the weeping willow style of cracker that blossoms in assorted colors in the sky).
From neighborhood block parties and backyard cookouts to community festivals to parades, to live music and fireworks, honor Independence Day by donning your red, white and blue garb in Lake County.
This free admission event features live sounds including the battle of the bands and Hispanic bands, a carnival, a petting zoo, a cultural entertainment stage, a hot dog eating contest and of course a comfortable family-fun setting by the beach.
‘The rocket’s red glare’ and ‘the bombs bursting in air’ appears early in Grayslake. The Taste of Grayslake festivities includes live entertainment, a moonwalk, carnival rides, face painting, an obstacle course, wall climbing and so much more. The June 29 fireworks show begins at dusk.
The "Heart of the Chain O' Lakes" will party American style with their red, white and blues at Celebrate Fox Lake located in at Lakefront Park. The Independence Day party will feature a parade at 4 p.m., a watermelon eating contest, live performances by 7th Heaven and Karma Committee and fireworks at dusk. The Fox Lake event serves fare and drinks for purchase.
Yankee Doodle went to Lincolnshire riding on a pony. His adventure to the Lake County village ended when he arrived at the Red, White and Boom Fest (sans the cap, feather and macaroni). This annual celebration’s Sunday festivities include live entertainment, food & beer tent, a carnival, games and a classic car show. The Monday schedule is highlighted by a pancake feast, 5K, the annual parade, the cardboard regatta, more live music and more fun. The festivities end with a stunning fireworks extravaganza. The Lincolnshire fest is highlighted by performances from Wild Daisy, April Feinberg, the Lincolnshire Bolts and “Personalities.”
Deerfield hosts its 55th Annual Family Days at Jewett, Maplewood and Brickyard Parks. The two-day celebration includes fireworks, a parade, arts and crafts tents, a 10K Race/5K Walk, rides, a petting zoo, the bike parade and a slew of other family fun-tivities. This Fourth of July, visit Deerfield to mingle, share, reacquaint and relish in the festivities.
Celebrate Independence Day at the Gurnee amusement park. Besides the exciting 16-roller coasters (possibly 17 if Maxx Force is ready to go), the splashtastic slides at Hurricane Harbor and other fantastic thrills at Six Flags Great America, the five-day fest will feature a Coca-Cola® July 4th Zone with a live DJ, delicious eats, dance contests, live performances and a fireworks display each night before the park closes.
The Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Department would like to extend an invitation to all families, friends, Veterans and the general public to the Naval Station Great Lakes to be a part of the 2019 4th of July Celebration from 3 to 10 p.m. Thurs., July 4 at the historic Ross Field. All are invited to come out and celebrate our country’s independence in a spectacular way with a full day of ‘fire-cracking’ festival fun at one of the biggest Fourth of July celebrations in the area. On July 4, a full music line up on the Rock, White & Blue main stage will feature national, regional and local bands performing throughout the day. This year’s headliner is 38 SPECIAL, treating concert-goers to their masterful performance and riveting music. The festival offers free parking and no admission charge. Join in and celebrate our freedom and patriotism at this, fun-for-all-ages, open-to-the-public, celebration July 4. Click the info button to learn more.
The Bitter Jester Music Festival is highlighted by some of the most talented, rising-star, high school-aged musicians from across Illinois & Wisconsin. This ongoing concert will entertain crowds at Port Clinton Square. Local Lake County Libation Trail™ favorite, Ravinia Brewing Company, will provide suds for purchase. The festival’s grand finale features the winner of the “battle of the bands”-esque competition and performs at Highland Park’s Fourth of July Parade and Celebration on Independence Day at Wolters Field. The fest will also be conducting raffles at every show.
The Fourth of July Celebration happens to be a certain city's 150th born day. The North Shore city and the country will be celebrating the day of its inception featuring carnival rides, petting zoo, pony rides, carnival games, inflatables, a climbing wall, a parade, delicious eat and a slew of other activities. The Bitter Jester Music Festival finale runs alongside this special day. Happy Birthday Highland Park, you don't look a day older than a century.
The event includes musical performances, food, drinks, arts and crafts, car show, carnival, a parade, activities for kids and adults and much more. There will also be a parade and much more fun. The Independence Day Fireworks Show is held on July 4 at 9:30 p.m. The Mundelein Community Days musical entertainment lineup includes Chicago Tribute Anthology, the Adam Ezra Group, Boy Band Night, Serendipity and more.
Fireworks, Parades and Other Red, White & Blue Things To Do for the Fourth
It’s a celebration of the sweet treats from Jelly Belly as the Pleasant Prairie factory hosts their annual summer carnival. For three days, attendees can enjoy summer with carnival rides, midway games, the factory tour, face painting, balloon art and a magician. From noon-4 p.m., guests can experience unlimited carnival rides for $20 per person. Don’t forget to take advantage of the ‘belly flops deal.’ If visitors purchase three bags of jelly beans for $30, they get two bags free. Be one of the first 500 adult carnival goers and receive a free two-pound bag of jelly beans.
To celebrate Independence Day, celebrate with the 566th Air Force Band. Operating from state of the art facilities at the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois, their unit proudly continues a rich musical tradition of serving the soldiers and citizens of the United States.
Race the family with pyrogenic force. Or just flash them a smile. Proceeds benefit the SMILE Grant-in-Aid, a program of the Parks Foundation of Highland Park. All participants of the 5k run, and the 2-mile walk will receive t-shirts and SWAG bag.
Parade and festival in Waukegan’s Bowen Park is the place to be on July 1. This event features a petting zoo, pony rides, children’s activities, a skate expo and live music. The Waukegan Band will also be in attendance playing our favorite patriotic jams. On the Fourth of July, Waukegan will shoot fireworks above beautiful Lake Michigan.
Vernon Hills throws a spectacular Independence Day celebration as the parade features marching bands, floats, clowns, costumed characters, stilt walkers, local merchants, pageant winners and civic leaders. The parade steps off at 9 a.m. Stick around for the evening as Century Park will showcase live entertainment. At 9:30 p.m. keep your eye on the skies as fireworks light up the sky over Big Bear and Little Bear Lake.
Visit Paulus Park in Lake Zurich to celebrate Independence Day. The festivities include live music and entertainment, kid games, inflatable rides, swimming and the Taste of Summer featuring local restaurants. The celebration concludes with a fireworks show launched by pyrotechnic experts from a barge on Lake Zurich.
Celebrate our independence with fireworks along scenic Lake Michigan! Best spots to see them are by Dockside, on the Harbor, on boats, above the bluff and Waukegan Municipal beach spots. However, beach locations do not have choice visibility for the lower pyrotechnic blasts.
