Yorkville’s Fourth of July celebration to come one day earlier

The City of Yorkville’s annual Fourth of July celebration will come one day earlier this year.

City officials have announced the city’s annual parade, activities in Town Square Park and evening fireworks display will all be held on Saturday, July 3.

Here are the details for the city’s Independence Day observance as provided by the city’s parks and recreation department:

Parade: The parade will step off at 9 a.m. from Yorkville High School and proceed down Game Farm Road, Somonauk Street, King Street, West Main Street, Church Street, and conclude at the water tower. For more information download the parade route map.

Those looking to enter a float in the parade do not need to inform the committee of their participation prior to the parade. All participating floats should arrive at the Yorkville High School the morning of the parade starting at 7:30 a.m. for line-up.

Note to parade participants: Throwing candy from parade floats is not permitted. Candy may be passed out by those participants walking the parade route. Streets surrounding Town Square will be closed to traffic and parking during the parade and celebration. All floats are welcome. Floats with patriotic themes are encouraged to celebrate the birth of the nation.

Town Square Activities: The activities begin immediately after the parade and end at 1 p.m. Activities will include children’s foot races, rides, and water fights. In addition to activities, food and drink will be available for purchase at Town Square.

Both the parade and town square activities are rain or shine events and will continue as scheduled unless lightning/thunderstorms or extreme rain is present. Please check the United City of Yorkville Parks and Recreation Department’s Facebook page for weather related updates.

Fireworks: The fireworks will begin at dusk and will be shot off near the corner of Route 47 and Countryside Parkway. If the fireworks are canceled on July 3 due to extreme weather, they will be rescheduled for Saturday, July 17 at River Fest in Riverfront Park, 131 E Hydraulic Ave, Yorkville. Any fireworks updates or cancellations will be notified through the United City of Yorkville Parks and Recreation Department’s Facebook page.

Shoe Box Float Parade: Decorate a shoe box as a float for the Independence Day Celebration Parade. Show Box Floats will be on display at the Chapel on the Green Historical Society, 107 W Center Street, the morning of Saturday, July 3. Floats will not need wheels, tongue, or a toe vehicle-just the decorated box simulating a hay rack or flatbed trailer. Floats will be displayed in age categories of Youth 8-18 and Adult 19 and above. Float drop off will be available Friday, July 2 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Floats will be released to their designer between noon and 1 p.m. on July 3.

FILE PHOTO: Plenty of red, white and blue were on display in Yorkville’s annual Fourth of July parade in 2019. The parade will return this year on July 3. (Shea Lazansky/)

All Fourth of July activities are free to everyone, except for food and drink purchases, and are subject to change without notice.

The city continues to appreciate and welcome donations to help support this long-standing community event. Donations are accepted online or by check. Checks can be made out and mailed to: United City of Yorkville, 800 Game Farm Road, Yorkville IL 60560. Please write “Independence Day” in the memo line. All donations are tax deductible. If your business would like to sponsor the 2021 Independence Day Celebration please contact Steve Redmon at sredmon@Yorkville.il.us

Source: The Daily Chronicle