Fourth of July celebrations listed

There’s plenty of celebrations planned for Independance Day. Following is a list of area events:

DeKALB

5K Run/Walk and Fireworks

Thursday: The DeKalb Park District will host the Independence Day 5K Run/Walk at 8:30 a.m. at Hopkins Park. It will be on a certified course with chip timing. Walkers are welcome. Participants are encouraged to dress in red, white and blue. The event is family-friendly, but strollers, bikes and dogs are not allowed for safety reasons. On-site registration costs $30 and is available from 7:30 to 8 a.m. For information, visit dekalbparkdistrict.com. Vendors will open at Hopkins Park in the afternoon and fireworks will begin at dusk. Food booths and vendors will be on site. The DeKalb Municipal Band will perform in the band shell before and during the fireworks.

KIRKLAND

Fourth of July Celebration

The Kirkland Lions Club’s 71st consecutive Fourth of July celebration will run Wednesday through Saturday. All proceeds from the event are used for the Lions’ charitable work throughout the year. Events will be at Franklin Township Park, 290 South St.

The schedule follows:

Wednesday: The festival and beer tent open at 5 p.m. Wristbands cost $20 for rides from 6 to 10 p.m. On the large stage, One Night Only will perform from 4:30 to 7 p.m. and Back Country Roads will perform from 8 p.m. to midnight. On the small stage, there will be a veterans tribute at 4:45 p.m. and Jim Crow DJ and Karaoke will be from 6 to 10 p.m. The queen contest will be at 7 p.m.

Thursday: The beer tent opens at 10 a.m. and the festival opens at noon. There will be a pancake breakfast from 7 to 9:30 a.m. and a pork chop dinner at noon. The Kirkland-Hiawatha all-school open house will be from 1 to 4 p.m. The bags tournament will begin at 2 p.m. On the small stage, there will be a veterans tribute at 9:45 a.m., Getting Excited about Science demo at 1:30 p.m., Summerfield Zoo exotic animals presentation at 3 p.m., music from 4 to 5 p.m., The Magic of Brian Holt at 5 p.m. and singer/songwriter Stan Riley from 6:30 to 8 p.m. On the large stage, there will be performances by Dale Rhode from noon to 2 p.m. and Fork in the Road from 6:30 to 10 p.m.

Friday: The festival and beer tent open at 5 p.m. The car show will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Wristbands cost $20 for rides from 6 to 10 p.m. On the small stage, there will be a veterans tribute at 3:45 p.m. and performances by acoustic guitarist Steve McClanahan from 5 to 7 p.m. and Master Ron Kids Comedian from 7 to 8 p.m. On the large stage, Lainey Wilson, featuring country star Rodney Atkins, will perform from 8 p.m. to midnight, with a cover charge of $10.

Saturday: The Kirkland United Methodist Church will serve breakfast in their basement from 7 to 10 a.m. Cost is $8 for all-you-can-eat eggs, pancakes, fruit and juice. The 1K/5K fun run will begin at 8 a.m. The antique tractor show will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The beer tent opens at 10 a.m. and the festival opens at noon. Water fights will begin at 1 p.m. and the bags tournament at 2 p.m. On the small stage, there will be a veterans tribute at 9:45 a.m., Kirkland Police Department demonstration at noon, Leader Dog demonstration at 1 p.m., Daryea’s Dancers perform belly dancing at 2 p.m. and music performances by Anthony Sheehan at 3 p.m. and Couch Coins at 4 p.m. On the large stage, Luxury Pork will play from 7 p.m. to midnight. The largest fireworks show in northern Illinois will begin around 9:30 p.m. The raffle drawing will be at 10:30 p.m. after the fireworks.

LELAND

Red, White and Boom

Wednesday: Leland Town and Country Association’s annual steak fry will begin at 4 p.m. with a cruise night and DJ Benny, a steak dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. and the PTO 5K Glow Run at 8 p.m. The dinner costs $20 per person. Carryouts available.

Thursday: Events include a parade starting at 10 a.m. at the school, bike decorating after the parade, vintage baseball at 11:30 a.m., an outdoor vendor show from 4 to 9 p.m. featuring bags, miniature train rides, food, live music and games. Free fireworks show at dusk, around 9 p.m.; donations welcome. For information, call 815-341-5786.

MAPLE PARK

Sycamore Speedway Fourth of July Celebration

Saturday: Racing models include super late, street stocks, pure stocks and dirt late. The pit gate opens at 4 p.m. and general admission gates open at 5 p.m. Qualifying is at 6:30 p.m. with races to follow. Fireworks will begin around 9 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $5 for ages 5 to 11. Children ages 4 and younger enter free. For information, visit www.sycamorespeedway.com.

SANDWICH

Freedom Days

Saturday: The parade will begin at 10 a.m. from the Sandwich Fairgrounds. A car and bike show will be from noon to 4 p.m. downtown off of Railroad Street. Fireworks will begin at dark at the Sandwich Fairgrounds; the fireworks show’s rain date is Sunday. The main gate will open at 3 p.m. A donation of $5 per car is suggested. Concessions from 10 food vendors will be available and there will be a beer tent. Professional wrestling by POWW Wrestling will start at 4 p.m., and at 5 p.m. live music performances will begin, featuring SIDESHOW and Outpatience. A vintage baseball game will be at 5:30 p.m.

Sunday: The 36th annual Freedom Run will be at Knights Park. The 1-mile fun run will begin at 8 a.m. and the 5K will begin at 8:30 a.m. Cost to sign-up the day of the run is $22 for the 1-mile fun run and $28 for the 5K. The Tot Trot begins at 7:45 a.m. Children ages 5 and younger are invited to wear a patriotic costume and participate in the free race. At 1 p.m., the Sandwich Historical Society will host a program at the Sandwich Fire Department.

For information, visit www.sandwichparkdistrict.org/freedom-days or call 815-786-8044.

SHABBONA

Fourth of July Festival & Parade

Thursday: A pancake breakfast will be held from 7 to 10 a.m. at the Shabbona Fire Department, 103 E. Navaho St., followed by the festival from noon to 5 p.m. on East Navaho Street. The parade starts at noon. A pork chop dinner will start at 4:30 p.m. at the Shabbona Lions Depot at the corner of Navaho and Illini streets. The Shabbona Fireworks Committee will present a fireworks show over Lake Shabbona at dusk, about 9:15 p.m. A donation of $10 a car is appreciated at the entrance to Shabbona Lake State Park. For information, visit www.shabbona-il.com/4thofjuly.

Source: The Daily Chronicle