Fourth of July celebrations in Bloomington-Normal and beyond 🎆 (2024)

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Bloomington-Normal People are also reading… Atlanta Chenoa Clinton Downs Dwight East Peoria Eureka Heyworth Hopedale Gibson City LeRoy Lincoln Minonk Mount Pulaski Pekin Peoria Pontiac Streator Towanda What to make this week: Last-minute 4th of July dishes, s'mores cookies and more Hot Dogs Or Burgers? 4th Of July Favourite Revealed Get local news delivered to your inbox! FAQs References

Celebrate the Fourth of July with these local events ranging from parades to fireworks and more.

Bloomington-Normal

The Pantagraph's Celebrate America Concert; 7 p.m. July 3, Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, 600 N. East St.; free, but ticket required.

Biscuits n Gravy Band; 7-10 p.m. July 3, VFW, 1006 E. Lincoln St., Bloomington.

Park to Park 5 Mile Run; 7 a.m. July 4, Fairview Park, 801 N. Main St., Normal; $25-$35.

Red, White & Blue Classic; 8 a.m. July 4, The Den at Fox Creek Golf Course, 3046 Fox Creek Road, Bloomington; $66.

Fourth of July Celebration; 9 a.m.-10 p.m. July 4, Fairview Park, 801 N. Main St., Normal; early bird swim, popsicles, sky concert, food trucks, inflatables and face painting, music.

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Fourth of July in Miller Park; 9:30 a.m.-11 p.m. July 4, Miller Park, 1020 S. Morris Ave., Bloomington; paddleboats, mini golf, fireworks and more.

Miller Park Cruise-In; 1-4 p.m. July 4, Miller Park, 1020 S. Morris Ave., Bloomington; live music and food; in collaboration with Mid State Cruisers; top three cars awarded.

Born in the USA; 6:30-10 p.m. July 5, The Corn Crib, 1000 W. Raab Road, Normal; post-game fireworks; away double-header on July 4.

Atlanta

Fourth of July Fireworks; all day July 5, Atlanta Sports Complex; walking tours, car cruise-ins, baseball games, food specials, fireworks at dusk.

Fourth of July celebrations in Bloomington-Normal and beyond 🎆 (2)

Chenoa

Ice Cream Social Third of July Celebration;5-8 p.m. July 3, downtown Chenoa; sponsored by Chenoa Women's Club.

Chenoa Fourth of July Celebration; 8 a.m.-10 p.m. July 3-4, Chenoa; vendor fair, food trucks, street dance, parade at 2 p.m., fireworks and more.

Clinton

Fourth of July on the Square; 7 a.m. July 4, Clinton; 2.2 mile walk/run with the Vets, parade at 10 a.m., decorated bike contest and more; presented by American Legion Post 103.

Fourth of July in front of Sweet Mae's;noon-6 p.m. July 4, 122 N. Center St., Clinton; shaved ice, brownie sundaes, barbecue, foam cannon, music, chalk and more.

Downs

Firemen's Pancake Breakfast; 7-10 a.m. July 4, Downs Community Fire Protection District, 102 W. Main St., Downs.

Fourthof July Parade; noon July 4, starting at the middle school, Downs.

Dwight

Fireworks; dusk July 4, Garrett Park, Dwight.

East Peoria

Red, White & Boom; starting at 5 p.m. July 4, food and drink for purchase, "Star-Spangled Banner" and Pledge of Allegiance, fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

Eureka

12th annual Bob & Evelyn Duncan Memorial Golf Outing; 8 a.m. July 4, Fairlakes Golf Club, 2203 County Road 600 North, Secor; $45-$65; prizes, awards, food and more; register by calling 309-744-2222, limited to first paid 25 teams.

Eureka Business AssociationFourthof July Parade; 10 a.m. July 4, Eureka Apostolic Christian Church, 700 W. Cruger Ave., Eureka; covering west Burton and Maple streets; registration at eurekabusiness.net/events; 309-467-2922; bring participant form.

Food Truck Festival & Fireworks; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. July 4, Eureka Lake.

Fourth of July celebrations in Bloomington-Normal and beyond 🎆 (4)

Heyworth

Fourthof July Celebration; fishing derby, 7 a.m., July 4; 8 a.m., mud volleyball tournament; music at 7 p.m.; food and drinks throughout the day; fireworks at dusk.

Hopedale

Freedom & Fireworks;all day July 3-4 ; vendors and stands, chalk with a cop, co-ed softball tournament, live music, golf cart parade, memorial 5k, parade, kids tractor pull, chicken dinner, face painting, fireworks; church service at 10 a.m. and antique tractor pull at noon on July 7.

Gibson City

Sibley Area Fourth of July Celebration; 7 a.m.-10 p.m., July 4; breakfast and food trucks, fishing derby, parade at 10 a.m., water balloon toss, dizzy bat races, climbing wall, balloons, bingo, face painting, inflatables, golf, model airplane and boat show, music, flag lowering/prayer and fireworks.

Red, White & Tunes Lot Party; July 6-7, Mark's On First, 120 E. 1st St., Gibson City.

LeRoy

Annual Fourth of July Parade;10 a.m. July 4, Leroy; sponsored by the American Legion Ruel Neal Post 79; calling all Jeeps/Jeepers; honor a veteran, carry him/her in the parade in your vehicle; register at 309-530-1313 by July 1.

Lincoln

Fourthof July Celebration; 10:30 a.m. July 4, Lincoln Park District, 1400 Primm Road, Lincoln.

Summer family movie series; 10-11:30 a.m. July 4, VIP Lincoln Grand, 225 S. Kickapoo St.

Trailblazers Walking Group; 7 a.m.-7 p.m. July 4, Lincoln Memorial Hospital Wellness Trail.

Fourth of July celebrations in Bloomington-Normal and beyond 🎆 (5)

Minonk

Fourthof July Celebration; 6-11 p.m. July 4; 8 a.m.-11 p.m. July 5 and 10 a.m.-11 p.m. July 6, near Chestnut Street and Westside Park.

Fourthof July Kiddie Parade; 9:45 a.m. July 6, at the corner of 4th and Chestnut streets; ages 0-10.

Mount Pulaski

Fourthof July Celebration; all day, July 4, town-wide garage sales, food and beverages, a band concert, and fireworks at dusk in Frazier Park.

Pekin

76th annual Honor America Celebration;6 p.m. July 4, Veterans Memorial Arena, 250 Red Bud Drive, Pekin.

Peoria

Peoria Jaycees Firecracker 5000; 7:30 a.m. July 4, Southwest Water St., downtown Peoria.

Eastport Marina -Fourth of July; 6:15-9:15 p.m. July 4, East Port Marina, 701 Mariners Way, East Peoria.

Pontiac

Independence Day Celebration; all day July 6, the Oaks at Rivers Edge; bouncy houses, live music, fireworks.

Streator

Streator Fest; Aug. 1-4, Northpoint Field, 1 Northpoint Drive; carnival, craft and food vendors, beer tent, live music, shuttle bus, 50/50 drawings and fireworks.

Towanda

56th annual Flea Market & Parade; 10 a.m. July 4, Towanda, parade steps off at the grade school; veteran trolley; veterans asked to bring American flags; 309-825-6341.

What to make this week: Last-minute 4th of July dishes, s'mores cookies and more

This week's recipe roundup features main dishes, desserts and drinks that are great for a July 4 picnic or any summer table.

Food-and-cooking

Hot Dogs Or Burgers? 4th Of July Favourite Revealed

Updated Jun 30, 2023
0

You know it’s summer and the 4th of July is nearing when you walk outside and are hit by the aroma of sizzling meat on the BBQ.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story had the incorrect date for Atlanta fireworks. It has also been updated to remove outdated events.

Contact Olivia Jacobs at 309-820-3352. Follow Olivia on Twitter: @olivia___jacobs

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Fourth of July celebrations in Bloomington-Normal and beyond 🎆 (2024)

FAQs

What time are the fireworks in Normal, Illinois? ›

Beginning at dusk, a fireworks display (approximately 9:15 p.m.) is set to music from Cumulus Radio-WJBC AM 1230, B104 and WBNQ.

Discover More ›

What war did the Fourth of July celebrations increase heavily in the US after? ›

Philadelphians marked the first anniversary of American independence with a spontaneous celebration, which is described in a letter by John Adams to his daughter, Abigail. However, observing Independence Day only became commonplace after the War of 1812.

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What special importance do fireworks have in Fourth of July celebrations in the US what do they symbolize? ›

Fireworks have been a part of cultural celebrations -- especially in China -- for centuries, but our Founding Fathers were quick to adopt it as a show of patriotic pride.

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What happened on the Fourth of July to make it become an important holiday in the United States? ›

July 4 marks the anniversary of when Congress, comprised of delegates from the United States' original 13 colonies, signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The document declared the nation's independence from Great Britain.

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What is Illinois law on fireworks? ›

(WTVO) — As Americans get ready to celebrate Independence Day, most fireworks remain illegal to use in Illinois. Illinois is one of only three states that do not allow some or all types of “consumer” fireworks according to the state's Pyrotechnic Use Act which bans the use of: Handheld fireworks. Bottle rockets.

What do fireworks stand for? ›

In Fourth of July celebrations, fireworks signify national pride and patriotism. They had been used in China since at least the 12th century, and in the 15th century they became popular with European monarchs as a way to celebrate national triumphs, the restoration of peace, and the monarchs' own birthdays.

Who invented crackers? ›

In 1792, John Pearson created the first cracker in the United States, and his original formula was sold until 2008 and had the name Crown Pilot crackers. In 1801, another baker from Texas, Josiah Bent, accidentally burned a batch of biscuits.

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What is the true meaning of the 4th of July? ›

Why does America celebrate the Fourth of July? The easy answer is that July 4 is celebrated because that's the day in 1776 when the country declared its freedom from British rule by signing the Declaration of Independence. True history buffs will know that only John Hanco*ck penned his signature on July 4th.

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Why should we celebrate the 4th of July? ›

What is the Fourth of July? The Fourth of July celebrates the passage of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The Declaration announced the political separation of the 13 North American colonies from Great Britain.

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What is the true meaning of Independence Day? ›

Also called the Fourth of July, Independence Day marks the historic date in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress. The written declaration stated that the American colonies were tired of being ruled by Great Britain. They wanted to become their own country.