Oak Park’s Independence Day celebrations are set for this week, but it will be another year without a fireworks display, according to village staff.
While Oak Park will host its annual Fourth of July parade Friday morning, this year will mark the fourth straight year without a fireworks show marking the holiday. In 2022, the village cancelled its fireworks display in response to the mass shooting that killed seven parade-goers in nearby Highland Park that 4th of July morning and no village firework show has been scheduled since.
Issues around finding a sponsor for the fireworks and a suitable location for the show have made planning the displays difficult, according to previous Wednesday Journal reporting.
Still, Oak Park’s annual Independence Day Parade will start rolling at 10 a.m. on Friday from Longfellow Park at Ridgeland Avenue and Adams Street. The parade marches north on Ridgeland to Augusta Street, turning east to disperse near Whittier Elementary School at Harvey Avenue, according to the village.
“Among the entries typically scheduled to march are social and special interest groups, community groups, athletic teams, politicians, businesses and service organizations, children’s groups, animal lovers with their pets and musical groups,” the village said.
Roads near the parade route will be closed as early as 8:30 a.m. Friday, according to the village.
The Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce will also host a street festival on Chicago Avenue between Lombard Avenue and Humphrey Avenue. The festival begins at 11 a.m. and will run until 2 p.m. and will feature entertainment including a brass band, family friendly games and activities, vendors, food and a beer tent, according to organizers.