Riverside has never hosted a fireworks display for the Fourth of July and its residents have traditionally had to seek out shows in neighboring towns, like Berwyn, Lyons and North Riverside.
While the village isn’t changing that policy in 2022, its residents for the first time have been invited to attend the fireworks show on July 4 on the grounds of the Riverside Golf Club, 2520 Desplaines Ave.
While North Riverside residents have been able to enter the country club’s grounds for the past several years to enjoy the show, Riverside President Joseph Ballerine announced earlier this month that Riverside residents will also be able to enter the grounds on July 4, pick a spot near the first tee or first green and watch the show.
North Riverside and Riverside residents must present an ID showing their proof of residence to enter. There is no onsite parking for non-club members and limited municipal parking near the golf club, so attendees are encouraged to walk or ride bicycles.
Fireworks are scheduled to begin after dusk, between 9:15 and 9:30 p.m.
Of course, by the time they arrive for the fireworks show, Riversiders will have had a full slate of Independence Day happenings under their belts.
The two-day celebration begins Sunday, July 3 with the Friends of the Fourth’s Concert in the Park at Guthrie Park, Riverside and Bloomingbank roads in downtown Riverside.
The park opens at 4:30 p.m., with an opening ceremony at 4:45 p.m. The concert begins at 5 p.m. with Good Things, followed at 7 p.m. by Libido Funk Circus. The concert ends at 10 p.m.
While attendees are welcome to bring their own food/drink, there will be food and beverages available for purchase.
Bright and early on July 4, you can cheer on the runners or participate yourself in the 44th Annual Independence Day 5K, which steps off at 7:30 a.m. from Centennial Park, 10 Pine Ave., and heads up Longcommon Road to Selborne before looping back around to Parkway Road, Northgate Road and then back south down Northwood and Akenside to the finish line in the shadow of the water tower.
Registered runners receive goodie bags and T-shirts. Through July 2 you can register for $35 online at riverside.il.us/185/Independence-Day-5k. Race day registration is $40.
After you’re done running, you can cool off in the shade under a tree along the route of the July 4 parade, which begins at 8:45 a.m.
The parade heads south on Longcommon from Delaplaine Road and across the tracks, ending at the Riverside Township Hall. Afterward, there will be a community party in Guthrie Park, featuring community groups, food and drink until 1 p.m.
North Riverside
The village of North Riverside will kick off its celebration of The Fourth at 10 a.m. with its annual parade, which will proceed east on 26th Street from 9th Avenue to Veterans Park.
The party continues later on with July 4 Fest, beginning at 6:30 p.m., in front of the Village Commons, 2401 Desplaines Ave. No outside food/drink or coolers are allowed but there will be food trucks along with beverages available for purchase.
Musical entertainment will be provided from 7 to 9 p.m. by HiFi Superstar, and there will be activities for kids, including an obstacle course, a face painter, henna, inflatable bull riding and glitter tattoos.
The fireworks at the golf club – you can opt to watch from the Village Commons or along 26th Street – cap the evening.
Brookfield
After stepping back into the world with a parade for Independence Day last year, Brookfield is jumping into the spirit of The Fourth with both feet in 2022, hosting a Party in the Park following the traditional parade for the first time since 2019.
The parade starts at 10 a.m. and heads south on Grand Boulevard from Garfield Avenue, through the circle at Eight Corners all the way into downtown Brookfield. Due to the ongoing construction of the Brookfield Avenue bridge over Salt Creek, the parade will end at the Grand/Prairie/Brookfield intersection.
The Party in the Park kicks off at noon in Kiwanis Park, Arden and Brookfield avenues. Pick a spot and set up your tables, chairs and tents. You can bring your own food and drinks – get there early and walk across the pedestrian bridge over Salt Creek to catch the parade.
Music starts at 12:30 p.m. with local favorites The Redmonds, followed by the blues of the Big Dog Mercer Band at 3:30 p.m.
Other events
The village of Lyons will host a four-day Lyons Fest 2022 from July 1-4 at Veterans Park, 4200 Lawndale Ave., with live music, carnival rides, food vendors and more. Admission is free. The event kicks off July 1 from 4 to 10 p.m. and opens on July 2 and 3 at noon.
On July 4, Lyons will host its Independence Day parade at 1 p.m., with Lyons Fest opening at 3 p.m. and concluding with a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.
If you can’t wait until The Fourth for your fireworks, Berwyn will be hosting a fireworks display after sunset on July 2 at Morton West High School, 2400 Home Ave.
