Fourth of July 2008 Fun

North Shore Chicago Suburbs Fourth of July 2008 Fun!

Looking for the latest info on fireworks times and Fourth of July fun in Evanston, Deerfield, Wilmette, Lake Forest, Highland Park, Glenview, Glencoe, Northbrook, Skokie, Arlington Heights and Wheeling? We've got you covered! Get your flags out Insiders, because the North Shore’s most explosive summer weekend is just around the corner! As long as you’re decked out in your finest patriotic gear, the North Shore is your playground! With so many choices…where should our festivities begin??

Deerfield

Event: Deerfield Family Days
Date: Thursday, July 3 – Friday, July 4
Location: Thursday – Brickyards Park (Lake-Cook and Pfingsten, north), Saturday – Jewett Park Community Center (836 Jewett Park Dr.)
The Action Starts: 5 p.m Thursday, 7:30 a.m. Friday

Activities:
Thursday – Music, concessions and Fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
Friday – Pancake Breakfast, Parade, Arts and Crafts Show, Rides, Games, Dog Show, Petting Zoo and Ponies!

Insider Tip: There's FREE swimming on Friday from 1 - 5 p.m. at Deerspring and Mitchell Pool!

Evanston

Event: Fourth of July Parade & Fireworks
Date: Friday, July 4
Location: Central Street (Parade in Downtown Evanston), Clark Street Beach (Fireworks)
Time: Parade is at 2 p.m., Fireworks are at 9:15 p.m.
Cost: None

Glencoe

Date: Friday, July 4
Location: Glencoe Beach (1 Park Ave.)
Time: Live music is at 7:15 p.m., Fireworks are at 9 p.m.
Cost: None (with admission to beach: Non-residents: $8/adult $6/kids, Residents: $6/adult $4/kids, Guests of residents: $4

Glenview

Event: Fourth of July Parade & Fireworks
Date: Friday, July 4
Location: Parade starts on Glenview Rd., Fireworks are at Glenview Park Golf Club, 800 Shermer Rd.
Time: Parade is at 11:30 a.m., Fireworks are at 9 p.m.
Cost: None

Highland Park

There's a lot going on around Highland Park on the Friday the Fourth – here's the skinny:

Event: Highland Park Kids Bike and Pet Parade
Location: Central Ave
Time: 9 a.m. (Kids & Pet Parade), 10 a.m. (Main Parade starts at Central Ave)
Cost: None

Event: Highland Park Fourth Fest
Location: Sunset Woods Park (1801 Sunset Rd.)
Time: 11a.m. - 2 p.m.
Activities: picnic, carnival rides, petting zoo, carnival games, live music, snacks

Event: Highland Park Float and Fireworks
Location: Hidden Creek Aquapark (1220 Fredrickson Pl.)
Time: 8:15 -10:45 p.m.
Cost: $5/person or Summer membership

Event: Fireworks and Battle of the Bands Finale
Location: Wolters Field (1080 Park Ave. West)
Time: Battle of The Bands kicks off at 6:30 p.m., Fireworks are at 9:15 p.m.
Cost: None

Lake Forest

Date: Thursday, July 3 and Friday, July 4
Location: Deerpath Park (Deerpath and Hastings Rd.)
The Action Starts: 5 p.m. on both days!
Activities: On Thursday, catch rocker Eddie Money for $20 as part of the Rock for the Rec event. There'll be a beer and wine garden, and kids 10 and under are free! On Friday, entertainment includes all kinds of kids' activities, Tom Chapin and Company, 16 Candles and Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

Northbrook

Event: Fourth of July Festivities & Fireworks
Date: Friday, July 4
The Action Starts: Pancake breakfast at 7 a.m. on the Village Green, Parade is at 2:30 p.m., Fireworks are at dusk
Location: Pancakes and Parade starts at the Village Green, Fireworks are at Ed Rudolph Velodrome, Meadowhill Park, Waukegan Rd. west on Maple Ave.
Cost: None

Northfield

Event: Fourth of July Festival
Date: Friday, July 4
Location: Willow Park
Time: Bike Parade is at 10 a.m., Sand art, face painting Guitar Hero, climbing wall and inflatables open at 10:30 a.m.
Cost: None

Wilmette

Event: Independence Day Celebration
Date: Thursday, July 3
Location: Wilmette lakefront
The Action Starts: 4 p.m., with Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. (shoot over Lake Michigan from Wilmette Harbor)

Activities: Music, magic and the Jesse White Tumblers! There's also a wide variety of fun sports activities to enjoy, and a taste fest.

Insider Tips: Traffic is wicked this weekend with the Sheridan Rd. Construction Project! On Friday, Sheridan Rd. will be closed to all traffic after 3:30 p.m. between Lake and Isabella. Here's a few tips:
• Use the drop-off/pick-up zone in the 900 block of Michigan.
• To use pedestrian access to Gillson Park, use crossings at Central, Washington, Lake Avenue and at the south park entrance.
• Take a PACE shuttle bus! For just $3, you can ride to and from the Edens Plaza or METRA commuter lots. Passengers will be picked up along the routes as well, which will run every 10 minutes or so, and every five minutes from 6 to 9 p.m.

Winnetka

Event: Fourth of July Parade, Festival & Fireworks
Date: Friday, July 4
Location: Parade starts at Elm and Glendale Rds., Festival activities on the Village Green and Duke Child's Field, Fireworks are at Duke Child's Field
The Action Starts: Parade is at 10 a.m., Village Green activities at 11 a.m., Evening Festivities at 6:30 p.m. and Fireworks are at 9:15 p.m.
Cost: None

Skokie

Event: Skokie Parade and Fireworks
Date: Friday, July 4
Location: The Parade is on Oakton St (begins at Lincoln Ave.), Fireworks are at Niles West High School (5701 Oakton St.)
Time: Parade is at 12 p.m., Fireworks are at dusk, with festivities beginning at 7 p.m.
Cost: None

PLUS...

Arlington Heights

Event: Arlington Heights Frontier Days
Dates: July 2nd- July 6th
Location: Recreation Park (3 blocks east of Arlington Heights Road—on Miner St)
Times:
     Wed July 2: 5-11pm
     Thurs July3: 5-Midnight
     Fri July 4: Noon-Midnight
     Sat July 5: Noon-Midnight
     Sun July 6: Noon-10pm
Cost: None
Check it out: www.frontierdays.org

*Insider Tip: Park in downtown parking garage, Thomas Middle School, or Olive Elementary School and ride one of two free buses to the festival!

Wheeling

Event: Wheeling Freedom Fest
Dates: July 3rd- July 5th
Location: Park District Property behind St. Joseph the Worker Church, Wheeling
Times:
     Thurs July 3: 5-Midnight
     Fri July 4: 3-Midnight
     Sat July 5: 3-Midnight
Cost: None
Check it out: www.wheeling.il.us/Community/SpecialEvents/FreedomFest.htm