Grayslake July 4th Fireworks, Fest and More: 2018 Guide

GRAYSLAKE, IL – The Fourth of July is finally upon us. Here is a look at festivals, parades and fireworks happening in the area over the holiday and coming days.

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June 30-July 4

July 4th Fest at Six Flags

Six Flags Great America will be hosting a five-day July 4th festival, starting on June 30, as well as an All American Food Fest. Fireworks will take place each night of the festival at 9:45 p.m.

Some of the highlights of the festival include:

• Those with valid park admission can receive early access to the park and some of the top coasters and attractions by bringing a valid Coca-Cola product to be donated to Veterans.
• Purchase a Coca-Cola 4th Fest drink cup or Sampler Punch Card and get access to our all-new foam dance party from 8-9:30 p.m. each night of the fest.

More information via the Six Flags Great America website

July 3

Hawthorn Woods 4th of July Festivities

Where: Community Park, 5 Park View Lane in Hawthorn Woods

When: Concerts begin at 6 p.m. Fireworks begin at dusk.

• Parking will be available at Community Park, St. Matthews School & Church, and Quentin Bible School.More via the village of Hawthorn Woods website.
  

July 4

Hawthorn Woods Independence Day Parade

• When: 10 a.m. on July 4
• Where: The parade starts at Falkirk and Carlisle and continues down Lagoon Drive, and ends at Village Hall for our flag raising ceremony.

Vernon Hills Parade, Concert and Fireworks

• Parade: The parade steps off at 9 a.m. at the corner of Deerpath and Atrium Drive, just south of Highway 60 (Town Line Road). Marching units will follow a parade route south to Sullivan Drive and then west to Aspen, with a final destination will be the Hawthorn South Elementary School. Demonstration areas will be marked along the route for your viewing pleasure. Residents who would like to decorate their bikes, wagons or pets or just walk in the parade as a participant may congregate at the corner of Deerpath and Atrium prior to the parade. At a designated point in the parade a volunteer will invite you to fall into the line up.
• Concert: While the celebrations break after the parade so families can enjoy planned activities, hundreds are expected to gather at Century Park from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. for the rhythmic sounds of The Big Fun Band sponsored by the Vernon Hills Park District.
• Fireworks: At about 9:30 p.m., the skies over Big Bear and Little Bear Lake will be set ablaze as Melrose Fireworks presents a dazzling aerial display of fireworks.

Libertyville Village Band and Fireworks

The Village Band's special concert on July 4 starts at 7:30 p.m. and takes place at Butler Lake Park for this concert; the fireworks begin at the same location immediately following the concert. The public should bring lawn chairs or a blanket to sit on, although in Cook Park there are a few picnic tables available as well. For the Butler Lake Park concert, there are no nearby restaurants, so the public may bring food from home. Portable toilets are located around the park.

Parking within Butler Lake Park is limited to a few spots that are used by the musicians. Most people park in the public lots a few blocks to the east, or on residential streets to the west, and walk to the park. The fireworks begin with the end of the last song of the concert, and the same area used for listening to the band is also ideal for watching the fireworks.