AURORA, Ill. (WLS) — The red, white, blue was on full display in suburbs across the Chicago area on the Fourth of July.
Aurora celebrated America’s independence with its Fourth of July parade.
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Dozens of floats, marching bands and entertainment help celebrate this year’s parade theme embracing community.
This year’s celebration stepped off at Benton and River and was led by the parade’s grand marshal and public leaders, like the city’s new Mayor John Laesch.Iit highlighted the community and all of its residence. People lined up along the route to celebrate being American.
“Today is just a day to celebrate community, to celebrate togetherness, we’re all Americans here,” Tony Martinez with the city of Aurora said. “We have such vast diversity within our community and we just want to make sure everyone feels welcome, feels present and feels together here in the city of Aurora.”
Aurora hosted its fireworks show Thursday night, but the celebration will not end there. A lot of folks will be out barbecuing and enjoying the day.
“I think it’s important every day to celebrate your freedom.. that is what the United States of America is,” paradegoer Joan Frantzen said. “My parents are immigrants from Hungary. I’m a first-generation American, so this is every important.”
The annual fireworks show was held Friday night in Orland Park.
Several families brought out blankets and chairs to sit back and enjoy the display and celebrate America’s 249th birthday.
“It means independence and enjoying your freedom,” Orland Park resident Suzie Perez said.
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“I like coming here because it is a nice quiet crowd, they have great music,” Orland Park resident Kimberly McWright said.
Cascading colors light up the sky in Orland Park. The firework show brought families together to Centennial Park West to celebrate the 4th of July.
“Orland Park prides itself in having a good fireworks display,” Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge said.
With fun rides, tasty food and games, the Bartlett Fourth of July festival also got underway.
Festivalgoers dressed in red, white, and blue from head to toe.
“The clouds finally parted with the rain,” attendee Debbie Werst said. “We want to come out and run into some neighbors, high school friends, tire out the grandkids, and maybe later take a little swim.”
For many, heading to the festival has become a family tradition.
“We’ve been coming here since we have been living here, the last four years,” attendee Caprica Cicero said. “My kids enjoy coming to the carnival and having a good time with our family and friends.”
Evanston also celebrated with a Fourth of July parade. Schools bands and cheerleaders marched during the festivities.
Over at Wrigley Field in Chicago, the iconic Budweiser Clydesdales made an appearance. The event honored families of fallen or disabled U.S. service members and first responders.
Highland Park held an Independence Day Parade on Friday, with floats and mascots filling the streets.
Before a Fourth of July parade, Highland Park held a remembrance ceremony to honor the lives lost and those affected by the 2022 parade shooting.
The parade moved from First and Laurel through downtown to Sunset Woods Park.
This year’s theme was “Dream Team,” celebrating unity teamwork and resilience.
Before the parade, the city held a remembrance ceremony to honor the lives lost and those affected by the 2022 parade shooting.
Organizers said there will be no fireworks or drone show this year out of respect for the community’s healing process.
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