Patrick Bracco, a lifelong resident, reminisced at Oak Park’s village board meeting Tuesday night about the historical Fourth of July fireworks display that he said amplifies pride for the town.
“The July 4th fireworks in Oak Park were more than just a spectacular show, they were a symbol of unity, joy and community spirit,” he said.
Bracco said he wants to pass down that holiday tradition to future generations. But the fireworks have not happened the past few years, and he said the community has felt a sense of loss.
So, what happened to the fireworks?
In 2022, the fireworks were canceled after the mass shooting that took place during Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade. In 2023, no donor stepped up in time for the village to coordinate fireworks, which are historically funded by local businesses or private donations. In 2024, village officials said no entity offered yet again.
But that’s not the only reason, Village President Vicki Scaman said at Tuesday’s board meeting. The village is also missing a suitable location for the fireworks, she said.
Oak Park and River Forest High School used to have the fireworks on its field when it was grass. But since the school installed turf, it’s no longer a suitable space for fireworks. Karin Sullivan, executive director of communications at OPRF, told Wednesday Journal that their understanding is that the fireworks could permanently damage the turf.
Sullivan said she does not know whether covering the entire field with a non-flammable surface would be feasible, or what the associated cost might be. Scaman said at Tuesday’s meeting that the cost would likely be extraordinary.
“If it was just money, then I’m sure we could have found a way,” she said. “Finding an alternative location is going to be an ongoing challenge … We cannot make any promises that another location actually exists.”
Another option could be to have the fireworks at one of the Park District of Oak Park parks. But Ann Marie Buczek, the PDOP’s communication and community engagement manager, said to her knowledge, there were no discussions about another location for firework displays.
“While a park location may be able to accommodate a future show, we don’t believe there is adequate space for both the safety parameters of firework displays and community viewing,” she told Wednesday Journal.
There was seating available when the firework display was at OPRF, she pointed out. The PDOP would be willing to explore options or other ways to celebrate the Fourth of July, she said, based on police and fire recommendations.