The Fourth of July is coming — and with it comes a ton of fun family-friendly events in and around Champaign-Urbana! This guide will include events including parades, craft days, festivals, fireworks and more. (For your convenience, we’ve made a fireworks-only guide too!)
You never know what's around the corner with the great line-ups in Champaign-Urbana area parades. Credit: Flickr, chefranden
June 25:
Build and Grow at Lowe’s: Independence Day is right around the corner! Your child can show their patriotism with a cool Waving Flag. Recommended for first through fifth graders. Free. Register ahead of time. Starts at 10 a.m.
Arcola: Get ready for the Pop the Top Festival in historic downtown Arcola. The festival will feature live entertainment, a car show on Oak Street, an antique tractor show on Locust Street, and craft and food booths. A bag toss tournament will be held at the corner of Main and Oak streets. The day will be concluded with fireworks in at Moore Park in the evening.
Ice Cream and Independence: Concert and fun at the Virginia Theater in Champaign. Start celebrating early, doors will open at 5 p.m. for the pre-event music and ice cream, and all ticket holders receive free ice cream courtesy of Marble Slab Creamery. The Concert Band of Central Illinois, conducted by Peter Griffin, will take the stage at 7 p.m. This year’s concert will highlight Stars and Stripes and Sousa! Tickets are available online or at the Virginia Theatre Box Office, 703 W. Park Ave, Champaign. Reserved seating: $16 for adults, $14 for seniors and students, and $8 for children under 12.
Star-Spangled Craft: Head to the Champaign Public Library’s Douglass Branch at 3 p.m. and make a craft using red, white and blue stars to celebrate Independence Day. Geared towards school-age kids. Free.
June 30:
’1787: We the People’: This original and locally-written musical about the writing of the U.S. Constitution makes its world debut at the Virginia Theatre. Repeats every night from June 30-July 2 at 7:30 p.m., with a 2:30 p.m. matinee on July 3. Tickets range from $10 to $18; family pack available for $45. Families are encouraged to attend.
July 1:
’1787: We the People’: This original and locally-written musical about the writing of the U.S. Constitution makes its world debut at the Virginia Theatre. Repeats every night from June 30-July 2 at 7:30 p.m., with a 2:30 p.m. matinee on July 3. Tickets range from $10 to $18; family pack available for $45. Families are encouraged to attend.
Tuscola Sparks in the Park: Tuscola’s festivities takes place July 1 and 2. Friday’s festivities include swimming, baseball, bands and inflatables. A parade kicks off at 5 p.m., going from the corner of Main Street and North Central Avenue and running north on Main, then through Ervin Park. Cap off the day’s events with fireworks at dusk.
Monticello Freedom Celebration: From July 1 through July 3, experience three days of fun. On Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. in Downtown Monticello, check out Chow on the Town, Car Show, First Friday on the Square, Monticello Movie Night and more.
July 2:
Gussy Up Your Bike: Free! Head to the Urbana Free Library at 11 a.m. Get your bike ready for the Fourth of July with streamers and more when you come to Cherry Alley! In the case of rain or excessive heat, meet in the library’s Lewis Auditorium.
’1787: We the People’: This original and locally-written musical about the writing of the U.S. Constitution makes its world debut at the Virginia Theatre. Repeats every night from June 30-July 2 at 7:30 p.m., with a 2:30 p.m. matinee on July 3. Tickets range from $10 to $18; family pack available for $45. Families are encouraged to attend.
Tuscola Sparks in the Park: Tuscola’s festivities wind down July 2. Saturday’s festivities starts the day off with an American Legion pancake breakfast and 5K run/walk. The rest of the day includes mud-volleyball and basketball tournaments, a kiddie tractor pull, and lots more. Wrap up the day with a show from the Tuscola Community Band.
Rantoul: Join the Rantoul Chamber of Commerce for the “best post-race party ever” with the 5K Rockin The Runway 2nd Annual Firecracker Classic at the Rantoul National Aviation Center’s Frank Elliott Field. Before and after the race there will be inflatables for the kids, games, food, bands, auto-cross races, a car show, and, of course, fireworks. Admission is $5 per person for ages 14 and over, with runners, walkers and veterans receiving free admission.
Arthur’s Freedom Celebration: Estimates had the 2010 fireworks crowd for this small-town celebration at more than 30,000 spectators! But first, check out the parade, which steps off from the Mennonite Church Parking Lot on East Illinois St. at 1 p.m. Then head out to the fairgrounds for food stands and a baseball tournament. Be sure to check out Central Illinois Air from Mattoon offering the ever popular Helicopter rides on site beginning at approximately 4 p.m. with a cost of $ 20 per person. Finish the day with that fantastic display of pyrotechnics, one of the largest in central Illinois with some of the biggest shells available in the country.
Monticello Freedom Celebration: From July 1 through July 3, experience three days of fun. On Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Downtown Monticello, take part in the Taste of Monticello, Antique Tractor Show, Monticello Back in Time Games, vendors and displays. See live performances by The Brass Band of Central Illinois and II Ton Heavy Thing. And don’t forget the Celebration Parade at 2 p.m.
July 3:
’1787: We the People’: This original and locally-written musical about the writing of the U.S. Constitution makes its world debut at the Virginia Theatre. Repeats every night from June 30-July 2 at 7:30 p.m., with a 2:30 p.m. matinee on July 3. Tickets range from $10 to $18; family pack available for $45. Families are encouraged to attend.
Monticello Freedom Celebration: From July 1 through July 3, experience three days of fun. On Sunday, from noon to 11 p.m. at Lodge Park, look for vendors, games, bands and more. Come spend the day at the park leading up to the greatest fireworks around closing out the day!
July 4:
Champaign pools: Head to Sholem Aquatic Center (1- 8 p.m.) and Spalding Pool (1-6pm) on July 4 for festive games and activities throughout the day at both locations, including watermelon eating contest, cannonball contest and trivia games. Regular admission fees apply.
Champaign County Freedom Celebration: Parade and Fireworks! More details: Parade starts at 1:05 p.m near First and Kirby in Champaign, and continues east on Kirby/Florida and turns north on Lincoln. The evening program at Dodds Park, near Parkland College in Champaign, includes musical entertainment, food vendors and children’s activities both before and after the fireworks, which start around 9:20 p.m. Admission is FREE.
Freedom Fest, Lake of the Woods Park, Mahomet. Kids’ activities, food, live entertainment, fireworks at dusk. $1 per person, children 5 and under free. (Rain date is July 5.)
Bement: The Bement Community Council’s 4th of July Freedom Celebration’s theme is “Supporting the Military Community”. Parade at 2 p.m; games and vendors at Forest Preserve following parade until dusk; fireworks begin at dusk. Live DJ 9 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. at Forest Preserve park.
Clinton Fourth of July Celebration: Near Clinton High School/Junior High School, Clinton; fireworks at dusk; free.
Homer Fourth of July Celebration: Near Village Hall. Parade at 5:30 p.m.; The “carTunes” Community Summer Band and the “Singin’ in the CAR-us” Community Summer Chorus concert from 7 to 8:30 p.m.; and Fireworks at dusk. Free.
Rantoul: The Chamber of Commerce will present a holiday parade at 10 a.m.; parade route will start at the corner of Maplewood Drive and U.S. 136.
Paxton Old-Fashioned July 4th Celebration: Day of fun events (including children’s parade) at Pells Park with fireworks at dusk; free.
Send us your Fourth of July-related event – email editor (at) chambanamoms.com or use our contact page.
Oh no – I’m pretty sure the parade route listed here is backwards. Check out http://july4th.net/parade/index.html for the map, which notes: “The parade begins near First & Florida. Continues East on Florida to Lincoln Ave. then proceeds North on Lincoln Ave to California. Parade units turn onto Illinois street to disperse and exit area at Goodwin Ave.”
Actually they are both wrong, as there is no such place as First and Florida
we are fixing it.
Heh, to Champaign folks it’ll be First and KIRBY – same street renamed at the town border.