Snap, Crackle, Pop: Fireworks, festivities return to celebrate July 4

Events and celebrations have been planned throughout DeKalb County to celebrate Independence Day this year.

DeKALB

DeKalb’s Fourth of July Festivities will take place Sunday, July 4, at Hopkins Park, 1403 Sycamore Road in DeKalb.

The Independence Day 5K will begin at 7:30 a.m. Results and medals will be administered after the last runner returns, or no later than 10 a.m., and will be distributed electronically. The fee is $25 to participate and includes a race bag with bib, participation medal and race T-shirt. Register online at dekalbparkdistrict.com or runsignup.com. On-site race day registration will be accepted; however, a race bag is not guaranteed. Participants are encouraged to come dressed in red, white and blue.

There will be on-site DJ entertainment from 3 to 7 p.m., food vendors from 3 to 9 p.m. outside the Hopkins Park Shelter and the DeKalb Municipal Band concert at the Dee Palmer Band Shell from 7:30 to 9 p.m. The fireworks start approximately 30 minutes after sunset.

For more information, visit www.dekalbparkdistrict.com or call 815-758-7756.

KIRKLAND

Kirkland Lion Club’s 73rd annual Fourth of July Celebration will be held Friday, July 2, through Sunday, July 4, at Franklin Township Park on Third Street in Kirkland. The event will feature a carnival, flea market, food stands and vendors all three days until 11 p.m.

On Friday, July 2, the beer tent will be open from 5 to 11 p.m., bingo will be held from 6 to 9 p.m., the queen contest will be at 7 p.m. and Family Feud with teachers vs. students will be at 7:45 p.m. At 6 p.m., Southern Ride will open for country star Lainey Wilson, who will perform at 9 p.m. There will be a $15 general admission charge for the concert.

The celebration continues Saturday, July 3. The beer tent will be open from noon to midnight. The car and antique tractor show will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Couch Coins will perform at noon, a bags tournament will begin at 1 p.m., the Leader Dog demonstration will be from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Family Feud with police vs. fire will be from 4 to 5 p.m., bingo will be held from 5 to 9 p.m., Clay Hansen Music will perform from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Steve McClanahan Acoustic Guitar will perform from 6:30 to 9 p.m. At 6 p.m., One Night Only will open for Back County Roads, who will perform at 9 p.m. There will be a $10 general admission charge for the concert.

On Sunday, July 4, the celebration begins with a pancake breakfast from 7 to 9:30 a.m. The Fourth of July Parade will begin at 11 a.m. The beer tent will be open from noon to midnight. Dale Rhode will perform at noon, bingo will be held from 1 to 8:30 p.m., the Kirkland Hiawatha Pep Band will perform from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Blind Eye Willis & The Blue Notes will perform at 2 p.m., music by Anthony Sheahan will be from 3 to 4 p.m., Shuvlhed will perform at 4 p.m., the Family Feud finals will be held from 4 to 5 p.m., The Magic of Brian Holt can be seen from 5 to 6 p.m., Outlaws & Angels will perform at 6 p.m. and Stan Riley will perform from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fireworks will begin at nightfall and the 50/50 raffle drawing will be held after the fireworks.

SANDWICH

Sandwich’s annual Freedom Days celebration will be Saturday, July 3, at the Sandwich Fairgrounds, 1401 Suydam Road in Sandwich. This year’s celebration will feature a parade through downtown capped off with a fireworks display in the evening. The Freedom Days 5K has been canceled.

The parade will step off at 10 a.m. Lineup starts at 8:30 a.m. at the west gate of the Sandwich Fairgrounds. Enter at the far west entrance, Gate 4.

Parade judging categories are Best Nonprofit/Civic Entry and Best For-Profit Business Entry. Park district judges will select overall best, second place, third place and funniest.

Fireworks will be set off at dusk on the Sandwich Fairgrounds. The display can be seen throughout the city. Rain date for the fireworks is Saturday, July 10.

For more information, call the Sandwich Park District at 815-786-8044 or email sandwichparkdistrict@comcast.net.

SHABBONA

Shabbona’s Fourth of July festivities will be held Sunday, July 4.

The parade will begin at 1:15 p.m. Staging starts at 12:15 p.m. at Indian Creek High School, 506 S. Shabbona Road.

A pork chop dinner will begin at 4:30 p.m. at the Shabbona Lions Depot, located at Navaho and Illini streets.

Fireworks will start at dusk, approximately 9:15 p.m., at Shabbona Lake State Park.