Firecracker Weekend In Mokena Starts Friday

MOKENA, IL — It's mid-July, and in Mokena that means it's time for the Mokena Lions Club's 34th annual Firecracker Weekend. The event takes place from Friday through Sunday in the Metra lot on Front Street in downtown Mokena.

Starting things off at 6 p.m. Friday will be All About Music & Children's Theatre. Members of the group will offer a sneak peek from its upcoming "Jungle Book" Camp and "High School Musical 2" Teen Summer Stock. Members will also lead the signing of the national anthem as the Mokena VFW will do the presentation of the colors.

Admission for Friday is $5 per person or a donation to The Manteno Veteran’s Home.

Things will start to shift into high gear Saturday with a car show from 9 a.m. to noon. Admission is free, but those wishing to display their cool cars are requested to make a $10 donation.

Following the car show, the Firecracker Dance will run Saturday from 5 p.m. until 12:30 a.m., giving those who want to dance the night away plenty of time to do so. Scheduled to perform are Midnight Band Chicago and Strung Out.

Admission for Saturday's Firecracker Dance is a $10 donation in advance or a $15 donation at the gate. Admission includes one raffle ticket for a chance to win cash prizes. The drawing is scheduled to take place at around 11:30 p.m. Grand Prize is $2,500; 2nd Prize is $1,000; 3rd Prize is $500; and $100 will be handed out to 4th-8th Prizes. Winners need not be present.

To purchase tickets in advance through Friday evening, visit the Mokena Lions Club website or in person at the Mokena Chamber of Commerce, 11104 Front St. in Mokena.

Additional raffle tickets can be purchased for $15 during the Firecracker Dance.

The Firecracker Dance will feature the always popular Margaritaville tent, as well as craft beer from local vendors. Food will be available for purchase from Aurelio's Mokena, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Dinky's at the Mokena VFW and Zap Tacos.

Admission to the Firecracker Dance is restricted to those ages 21 and older.

Proceeds from the event will go toward local and national donations to programs that promote hearing and vision screenings, as well as programs to help battle hunger, said Mokena Lions Club Marketing and Communications Chair Israel Smith.

"This is our biggest fundraiser of the year," Smith said.

To close the weekend out, Festa Italiana will return for its eighth year in the event. The day of music and food will run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Live music is scheduled from 12:15 p.m. to 7 p.m. Scheduled performers include: Frank Rossi; Vito Zatto; Nino Folino; John Truncali Fabtones 60's dance band/Ted Aliotta; Jack Muccio; and Cliff Tattaglia.

Admission is $12 for those ages 15 and older. Children under 15 are admitted free.

To start Festa Italiana, a Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel procession will start at 11 a.m. at Mokena Intermediate School, 11331 195th St., and end at the Metra lot on Front Street. A free shuttle bus to and from MIS and the Metra lot will be available throughout the day.

For more information on all things Firecracker weekend, be sure to check out the Mokena Lions Club Facebook page.