Wheaton Celebrates Fourth of July With Fireworks, Parade and Festivities

Independence Day celebrations in Wheaton start a day early this year to make time for all the fun planned by the Wheaton Park District.
 
Beginning July 3rd at 5:00pm, in Wheaton opens for old-fashioned family fun including picnicking, games and music. A traditional fireworks display will conclude the evening starting around 9:00pm.

New this year will be a Civil War Reenactment troop making camp in the park. Guests are encouraged to wander through the camp, ask questions and learn more about our country’s history. Activities for children are planned, including crafts and smaller carnival rides such as the popular giant slide, swing and kiddie Ferris wheel. A community art mural and baggo games will offer fun for all ages. And DJ Gabe Ortiz from Goforit! Entertainment will broadcast a mix of classic rock, pop, as well as a patriotic song or two.
 
Visitors can pack a picnic or purchase something tasty at the park. Concessions will include favorites from the grill and ice cream for dessert.
 
“We want families to come out, set up a blanket and enjoy the park,” says Dan Novak, Superintendent of Special Facilities for the Wheaton Park District. “The fireworks always end the evening with a bang.”
 
This year’s fireworks will explode with nearly twenty-five minutes of color and sound arranged by award-winning, Melrose Pyrotechnics. Wheaton North Graduate, , will return to the park this year to sing the national anthem before the fireworks.
 
The holiday festivities continue on Wednesday, July 4th, when Wheaton’s Independence Day parade steps off from Main Street and Hawthorne Boulevard at 10:00am.
 
With over ninety parade entries, the parade is considered one of the largest in the state and takes over two hours promenade across town, before concluding at Cross and Front Streets in downtown Wheaton. The crowd is expected to number in the thousands.
 
Margie Wilhelmi, Marketing Director for the Wheaton Park District said in a statement, “The ten o’clock start is nice because people can enjoy the parade in the morning and still have time for family picnics that afternoon.”
 
This year’s Parade Grand Marshall is Bob Adams of the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans. Mr. Adams is the founder of the non-profit organization, located at 119 N. West Street in Wheaton, which provides transitional living assistance and educational training to veterans in need. Mr. Adams is a US Navy combat veteran of the Vietnam era and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). In 2009, he was honored as an American Red Cross Military Hero for his work rehabilitating and serving homeless veterans.
 
To coordinate the two-day long celebration and inspire the parade entries, the Wheaton Park District chooses an annual theme. This year’s theme, Snapshots of America, is guaranteed to inspire. Seven awards will be given out including most patriotic, most creative and best use of theme. Confirmed participants include Medinah Big Wheels, Tunes of Glory Bag Pipers and Renegade Clydesdales. Parade sponsors include Jerry Haggerty Chevrolet, Community Bank, Fifth-Third Bank and the DuPage Republicans.
 
“I’ll never forget the way the crowd responded to the Battalion of Military Uniforms from past to present,” recalled Novak. “Standing ‘O.’ Kids, parents, everyone spontaneously rose to their feet. What a great memory.”
 
Information courtesy of a press release from the Wheaton Park District

The Wheaton Park District is extending the Fourth of July celebrations by starting early and ending late with a week of red, white and blue events throughout the district.

With a theme of "," the Wheaton Park District is also running its own promotion on Facebook, asking residents to submit photos of their most memorable Independence Day moments. Anyone who submits a photo will receive a park district coupon booklet.