Looking for fireworks, festivals or just a place to enjoy the holiday?
Communities across the area are gearing up for a full day of Fourth of July celebrations, offering everything from parades and picnics to nighttime fireworks shows. Here’s a look at where you can go to make the most of the country’s 250 anniversary:
Noon-6 p.m. – Free swimming at the Northeast Oasis Aquatic center
7:30 p.m. – Musical entertainment by Larry Hampton
9:45 p.m. – Fireworks display begins
The Snack Shack concessions will be open all day and evening offering a variety of food and drinks.
This year’s fireworks show is being fired by J & M Displays of Yarmouth, Iowa. They have over 45 years of experience of providing quality professional firework shows for community celebrations, businesses and sporting events.
Event holders are still accepting donations to help with the display. Donations can be dropped off or mailed to the Chamber office at 113 E. Second St., Kewanee.
The fireworks display will be at dusk. Guests are asked to park in the field located to the right of the blue building. Bring your own blanket or chair to sit on.
Cernovich’s will be closed Saturday, July 4 for Independence Day.
8 a.m. – Tractor cruise from Walmart to Francis Park
8:30-11 a.m. – Registration for the car show, with the voting to follow from 11 a.m.-noon. Entry fee is $10 in advance and $15 on the day of the show. “Best of” trophies will be awarded.
9 a.m.-3p.m. – Flea/ craft market and food will be available
The Woodland Palace will be hosting tours throughout the morning and afternoon, from 9 a.m.-noon, and then 1 p.m.-3 p.m.
A patriotic monetary gift of $17.76 will offer guests a chance to ring the Bell of Preservation and take a selfie with Fred Francis.
Stars will also be sold for $5, and with these stars guests can write the name of a service member on it to display on a board at the park. All of the proceeds for the stars will go to the Wounded Warrior Foundation. Proceeds for the entire day will go toward Wounded Warrior and wildlife rescue.
Activities throughout the weekend with the events as follows:
Friday, July 3
4:30 p.m. – Bag tournament registration, with the tournament starting at 5:30 p.m. $20 entry fee, cash prize for top 2 and blind drawing. Takes place at East End Table & Tap.
5-7 p.m. – Pulled ham dinner at Wiley Park
5-11 p.m. – East End Table & Tap “Liberty Lawn Bash”
6 p.m. – Garden Tractor Pull. Sign in at 5 p.m. behind River Valley Cooperative.
Saturday, July 4
7-7:45 a.m. – Register for Freedom Fest 5k, with the race beginning at 8 a.m. Registration is $25. Free kids fun run after the race concludes, for ages 10 and under. Register online at https://runsignup.com/Race/IL/Galva/GalvaFreedomFest5k.
7-9 a.m. – Antique tractor show registration. The show begins at 9 a.m. at Wiley Park. Also at Wiley Park, at the same time, is the Lion’s Club Pancake Breakfast.
8-11 a.m. – Galva arts council jam at Wiley Park blacktop. $5 per square.
11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. – Wiley Park lunch in the park
Noon – Parade; lineup starts at 10:30 a.m. at Galva High School.
1-2 p.m. – Registration for kiddie tractor pull at SW corner of Wiley Park. Tractor pull begins at 2 p.m. Ages 10 and under.
1-4 p.m. & 5-9 p.m. – Free petting zoo at SW corner of Wiley Park.
4 p.m. – A talent show at Wiley Park on the Doss Memorial Stage. Registration is free and cash prizes will be awarded. Register at galvafreedomfest@gmail.com.
4 p.m.-dusk – Food Vendors
5-9 p.m. – Face painting at pavilion
6-8:30 p.m. – Bouncy houses
7 p.m. – Presentation of colors
9 p.m. – National Anthem by Patrick McCarthy
***Fireworks display will be at dusk
A weekend full of activities held at the Walnut Park District and Bureau Valley Walnut Campus, with the events as follows:
Friday, July 3
10 a.m. – Youth bingo at the library
1 p.m. – Beer garden and food vendors
1-3 p.m. – Family bingo
4 p.m. – Poker tournament and Spiking Out Cancer Volleyball
5 p.m. – Chamber cookout
5:30 p.m. – Bags tournament
6 p.m. – Softball tournament
8:30 p.m. – Live music by Nü Balance
Saturday, July 4
7-11 a.m. – Rotary pancake breakfast
7 a.m. – Chad Sarver memorial car show
7:30 a.m. – Spiking Out Cancer Volleyball
8 a.m. – ALS 5k and 3 on 3 basketball begins
9 a.m. – Beer garden at Heaton shelter and tractor and farm equipment show
11 a.m. – Food vendors
Noon – Ice cream social
1:45 p.m. – Motorcycle parade
2 p.m. – Celebration parade
3 p.m. – Farm bounce house $10
4 p.m. – ZOWA live wrestling
7 p.m. – Youth dance at the upper shelter
8 p.m. – Patrick N Swayze
Sunday, July 5
7 a.m. – Rotary pancake breakfast
11 a.m. – Church service
Noon – Food vendors and beer garden
1 p.m. – Pedal pull, putt putt mini golf, farm house bounce $10 and live music by Ron Eckberg.
1:30 p.m. – Bags tournament
3-6 p.m. – Vendor booths
3 p.m. – P&C petting zoo
4 p.m. – Duck races
4:30 p.m. – Hot dog eating contest
5 p.m. – Greenfield station
Fireworks display will be put on at dusk
Saturday, July 4 events as follows:
At the Hennepin Pool:
6:30-7:30 a.m. – Run/walk registration
7:30 a.m. – Bob Rehn memorial run for kids
8 a.m. – “Movin’ for Music” 5k run/walk
9-11 a.m. – Pancake and sausage breakfast
At Ernest Bassi Park – Village Hall:
10 a.m. – John Brouwer memorial cruise-in registration
Noon-4 p.m. – Cruise-in; cars, trucks, motorcycles and tractors are welcome.
At Walter Durley Boyle Park:
11:30 a.m. – Amateur bags tournament registration, with tournament starting at 12:15 p.m.
Noon – Food vendors open, music and announcements by Ladd Sound Production
1 p.m. – Beer garden opens until midnight
2 p.m. – FFA Pork chop dinner at the shelter.
Bingo at the shelter until 4 p.m.
Kids inflatables and games until 8 p.m.
3-9 p.m. – Face painting and hair braiding
On the Courthouse stage:
5 p.m. – National Anthem by Marie Collins
Veteran recognition
Citizen of the Year award presented by the mayor
Home decorating contest winner announcement
PCHS Lil’ Panteras & Lil’ Cheer performance
5:30-7 p.m. – Live music by Nez
7-9 p.m. – Live music by Harmonix
8 p.m. – Flyover Airshow
9 p.m. – “Thunder on the Illinois” Fireworks on the Riverfront
9:30-midnight – Live music by Brushville
There will be a Fourth of July decorating contest for homes and businesses. Prizes will be awarded in the following categories: Stars and Stripes Award for most patriotic home, Liberty and Lights Award for best nighttime display, and Red, White and Business Award for best decorated business. Daytime and nighttime judging will take place Thursday, July 2, and winners will be announced Saturday, July 4 before the announcement of Citizen of the Year.
Saturday, July 4
7-11:30 p.m. – Live music by Blind Reality
10 p.m. – Fireworks display
Independent shuttle available; call 815-501-4241. The shuttle goes to hotels in Annawan in Princeton.
