Aurora
•Aurora’s Fourth of July Fireworks Show will take place Thursday, July 3 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.. Two viewing locations will be available for the public: The Aurora Transportation Center, 233 N. Broadway Avenue, and McCullough Park, 150 W. Illinois Avenue. Food trucks will be set up at both locations with music and entertainment.
Six free park-and-ride shuttles will operate round-trip ride services from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., to help attendees to reach both locations.
•Friday, July 4, Aurora’s annual Fourth of July Parade, will begin at the intersection of Benton Street and Broadway Avenue at 10 a.m. For best viewing, the reviewing stand will be placed in front of the David L. Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Place.
Lifelong servant leader and longtime community member, Hugo Saltijeral, will serve as this year’s Parade Grand Marshal. Saltijeral currently serves as the executive director of the Valley Sheltered Workshop (VSW), leading a bold transformation in disability services.
•The Aurora Historical Society will hold its Annual Independence Day celebration at the William Tanner House Museum from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, July 4. Festivities will take place on the museum grounds, at the northwest corner of Oak Avenue and Cedar Street on Aurora’s near west side.
A 60-year tradition is a free, family-oriented affair open to the whole community. During the hours of the celebration, the historic Tanner House, built in 1857, will be open for tours. Outside on the museum grounds for the duration of the event, there will be a petting zoo. Also available outside, face-painting, and balloon creations. Hot dogs, chips, drinks, and ice cream will be available for purchase at nominal costs.
Entertainment will start at 11 a.m. with music, juggling, and the ringing of the bell. Following the ringing of the bells will be the American Legion Band. The afternoon will conclude with a pie eating contest.
Batavia
•The Batavia Fireworks will take place Friday, July 4 at Engstrom Park, 326 Millview Drive.
Food vendors will start servings from 5 p.m. to 9:25 p.m..
The Batavia Community Band will play from 8:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m..
The Sky Concert will start at 9:30 p.m., accompanied by music.
Naperville
•The annual Naperville Community Fireworks Show will be Friday, July 4, at Frontier Sports Complex, 3380 Cedar Glade Drive. The Naperville Municipal Band concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. under the Wagner Pavilion at the 95th Street Community Plaza, adjacent to the library.
The fireworks show will start at 9:30 p.m. with 906 parking spaces at Frontier Sports Complex and an additional 1,000 spaces at Neuqua Valley High School, 2360 95th Street.
Plano
•Plano will celebrate Independence Day, Sunday, July 6 at Lathrop Park on North Street. Scout Troop 71 and Cub Pack 317 will host an activity-filled Fun Fest from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.. The fest will feature a gaga ball pit, Lego pinewood derby, Nerf shooting range, tomahawk throw, and a touch-a-truck. Slushies from Kona Ice will be available.
The Annual Family Walking Parade will begin at Lathrop Park at 1 p.m..
The day will end with fireworks at Plano High School. Attendees can sit in the stands at Reaper Stadium, 704 W. Abe Street, or bring chairs and set-up in designated areas. Gates will open at 7:30 p.m., with concessions available. Fireworks at dusk.