Village Cancels Buffalo Grove Days, 4th of July Fireworks

BUFFALO GROVE, IL — Due to health concerns and the anticipated continuation of social distancing recommendations through the summer and fall, the Village of Buffalo Grove is canceling the July 4th fireworks and concert, as well as Buffalo Grove Days. Though it was news the board was expecting to announce at some point, it didn't make delivering it any easier Tuesday.

“It was a very difficult decision to cancel these two popular events, but the health and safety of our entire community must remain our top priority,” Village President Beverly Sussman said. “We all must look forward to the day when we can go back to normal and enjoy the events that help make Buffalo Grove such a special place to live.”

Buffalo Grove Days was to be the 59th annual edition of the five-day celebration that occurs over the Labor Day holiday weekend.

As a result of planning, commitments and expenditures for these events typically being made well in advance, the board felt it needed to make a decision on canceling well in advance of the end to Governor J.B. Pritzker's stay-at-home order, which currently runs through May 30.

It was also announced Tuesday that the Village Board has not yet decided whether the Farmers Market will go on as planned, but is set to discuss it at the May 18 meeting. The market normally runs from mid-June through mid-October.

According to officials, the Village is looking ahead with a goal to plan smaller community events for when safety restrictions are potentially relaxed.

“We’ve been working closely with the Buffalo Grove Park District and would like to create some neighborhood events that aren’t as large in scale, but would still provide our community with opportunities to get out and enjoy the outdoors, while safely connecting with one another,” Village Manager Dane Bragg said.