Celebrate the 4th of July 2012 with Fireworks and Festivals around Chicago

Get Ready for Plenty of Fireworks in and around Chicago this week. There are festivals everywhere!

Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson writing the Declaration of independence (1776) were all of British descent. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: fireworks seen across the at Washington, D.C., USA. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Independence Day in the United States is celebrated on “The Fourth of July” because on this day we celebrate the Declaration of Independence. This is the day we declared our independence from Great Brittian.

The legendary document was signed by important members of Congress including: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson later served as Presidents of the United States, and coincidentally died on the same day. James Monroe, the Fifth President of the United States, also died on July 4, 1831.

English: Fireworks on the Fourth of July (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Celebrate the 236th birthday of the United States at the Jay Pritzker Pavillion on Wednesday July 4th, 2012 at 6:30 pm. Listen to Gershwin, Copland, Bernstein, Sousa, and others who have created music that celebrates America’s spirit.

Chicago Navy Pier from the Lake Guardian (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Navy Pier July 4th 2012 Fireworks

Watch the fireworks at Navy Pier on the 4th of July. In addition to the special Fourth of July fire works show, Navy Pier offers fireworks every Wednesday night at 9:30 p.m. and Saturday night at 10:15 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Patriotic Wrigley Building in Chicago

Steve Miller Band Live! (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Naperville Ribfest Knoch Park, 724 S West St, Naperville (ribfest.net). $10–$25. This year, headliners include Steve Miller Band, Joe Walshand ZZ Top. Independence Day fireworks explode overhead on Jul 3.

Cover of Joe Walsh

Taste of Lombard Tue 3, 5–11pm; Wed 4, noon–11pm; Thu 5, Fri 6, 5–11pm; Sat 7, noon–11pm. Madison Meadows Park, 600 E Madison St, Lombard (tasteoflombard.com). Fireworks blast off on Jul 4 around 9:30pm.

Glen Ellyn’s Fourth of July Fireworks Wed 4 at 1pm. Lake Ellyn Park, 645 Lenox Rd, Glen Ellyn (630-858-2462, glenellyn4thofjuly.org). 1–4pm $3 wristband for activities, all other events free. Celebrate Independence Day with a parade, carnival games and fireworks at dusk.

FREE Itasca’s Fantastic Fireworks Wed 4, 4–11pm. Hamilton Lakes Office Campus, Park Blvd at Thorndale Ave, Itasca (630-773-0835). Live music starts around 6pm, and fireworks begin shooting around 9:30pm.

How About Now (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Lake Forest Festival & Fireworks Wed 4, 3–10pm. Deerpath Park, Deerpath Rd at Hastings Rd, Lake Forest (773-868-3010, chicagoevents.com). $10, kids 5 and under free. Ride into the “Danger Zone” at this suburban fireworks festival headlined by Kenny Loggins.

Lincoln Park Arts & Music Festival Sat 7, noon–10pm; Sun 8, noon–9pm. Racine Ave between Fullerton and Webster Aves (773-868-3010, chicagoevents.com). $7. See more than 80 juried artists along with live music from Sister Hazel and Nikka Costa.

Rock Around the Block Sat 7, noon–10pm; Sun 8, noon–9pm. 3200 N Lincoln Ave (773-665-4682, starevents.com). $5. More than 30 bands play on three stages at this Lakeview fest.

West Fest Sat 7, Sun 8, noon–10pm. Chicago Ave between Wood St and Damen Ave (312-850-9390, westfestchicago.com). $5. This West Town fest features three stages of DJs and bands selected by Empty Bottle Presents. Kids and pets have their own fests. The Black Lips headline.

A Fourth of July fireworks display at the Washington Monument. Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (DC) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (USA) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Travel Guides @ www.vino-con-vista.com

The “Committee of Five” that drafted the U.S. Declaration of Independence. Made from the images in the various Wikipedia articles. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“Declaration of Independence” – This idealized depiction shows the principal authors of the Declaration of Independence, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin, reading the document to colonists. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)