July 4th 2017 Events in Oak Lawn: What You Need To Know

OAK LAWN, IL -- You don’t need to leave Oak Lawn for Fourth of July fun. The Village of Oak Lawn and the Oak Lawn Park District have a full slate of events lined up from early in the morn to eve. All activities are scheduled to take place on Tuesday, July 4, 2017.

Village of Oak Lawn Fourth of July Parade

The parade steps off fat 10 a.m. rom 51st Avenue and proceeds west down 95th Street to 55th Court. Special highlights including Chicago’s sports team mascots Benny the Bull, Tommy Hawk, Southpaw and Staley the Bear.

Uncle Sam the Stilt Walker (who bears an amazing resemblance to the Christmas Elf stilt walker) and Uncle Sam the Unicycle Rider will be thrilling the curbside crowds. The parade features community organizations, scout troops, veterans, businesses, civic groups, youth sports teams, dance troupes, schools, park district programs and places of worship.

Dignitaries include local officials, including the mayor, village manager, village trustees and Congressman Lipinski. The Richards High School and Oak Lawn Community High School marching bands will be setting the beat for Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops and local church organizations.

New this year, parade participants are being asked NOT TO THROW CANDY from cars or floats. Participants will be allowed to hand candy out to spectators along the parade line. It's much safer for the kids.

Oak Lawn Park District’s Star Spangled July 4th Celebration

After the parade, bring your family and guests to Centennial Park at 94th Street and Nashville Avenue for the Oak Lawn Park District’s annual Star Spangled Celebration. The fun gets going from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Concessions will be available.

The park district has full day of family activities planned including a DJ, bingo, obstacle course, Guess How Many, magic balloon animals, child-led play, tattoos, games, crafts, a tricycle car wash, a Batman bouncy house and more.

Scheduled Star Spangled Activities:

11 .m. to 1 p.m. - Gymnastics Obstacle Course, Tennis, Pickleball & badminton
Noon to 1 p.m. - Judo demonstration and kin-ball
Noon to 2 p.m. - Archery
12:15 p.m. SHARP - Treasure Hunt
1 to 2 p.m. - Oak Lawn’s Got Talent
12:45 p.m. - Military salute
1:15 to 2 p.m. - Dodgeball
2 to 2:45 p.m. - Ball Hockey

Start practicing your seed spitting and register to compete in the Freshline Watermelon Eating contest. Registration starts at 11 a.m. There will be two contests for adults 17 and older, and for youth ages 10 through 16. The contests start promptly at 11:45 a.m.

Fireworks at Richards High School

The park district is teaming up with the Village of Oak Lawn for an evening of free entertainment and fireworks at Richards High School at 106th Street and Central Avenue. Gates open at 7 p.m. featuring DJ music and the Oak Lawn’s Got Talent winner. Then get ready for fireworks that get underway at dusk.