BOOM: Here’s how to celebrate the 4th of July in Central Illinois

CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — The 4th of July is quickly approaching, which means that communities all across Central Illinois are gearing up for dazzling fireworks displays, parades and more.

Here’s where you can find a celebration in your community:

June 29

• Arcola
  • Attendees can expect fireworks, food trucks and inflatables at Green Mill Village Hotel & Suites Convention Center, located at 917 Green Mill Ave. The celebration will run from 5-10 p.m. and the fireworks will begin at dusk
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• Decatur
  • The Life Foursquare Church’s Independence Celebration will begin at 6 p.m. Fireworks will start at dusk

July 3

• Homer
  • The Homer Freedom and Music Festival will kick off at at 4 p.m. It’ll take place at Homer Village Hall. The first day will include food trucks and bands.
• Monticello
  • The Monticello Freedom Festival will take place at Lodge Park. Vendors will be set up by 3 p.m., according to organizers. Due to limited parking, attendees are encouraged to park at Piatt County Trailblazers ($5 per car). There will be busses at Monticello High School to bring you to and from the park starting at 5:30 p.m.
• Lincoln
  • The Lincoln Park District’s fireworks will begin after 9 p.m. The park district said they’ll take place at 1400 Primm Rd. Before fireworks begin, attendees can expect food, music and games from 6-9 p.m.
• Loda
  • The Bayles Lake-Lake Iroquois community will host their fireworks show beginning at 9:00 p.m.
• Fisher
  • Fisher’s fireworks display will take place beginning at dusk. Before that however, attendees can expect live music (6-8 p.m.) and food trucks (5-8 p.m.) at the Fisher Fairgrounds.
• Moweaqua
  • Attendees can find Moweaqua’s fireworks at North Park. The event will begin at 6:45 p.m. and will include concessions and inflatables. The fireworks will start at 9:15 p.m.

July 4

• Champaign
  • The Champaign County Freedom Celebration will begin with a parade at 4:30 p.m. near 4th and Kirby. You can find a complete route here. Music and inflatables will be located along Kirby Ave. between First and Oak Streets beginning at 6 p.m. Fireworks will start at 9:15 p.m. You can find more details here.
• Homer
  • The second day of the Homer Freedom and Music Festival begins with a parade at 11 a.m. Music and activities will follow, and a schedule of events can be found here. The festival will conclude with fireworks after 9 p.m.
• Danville
  • Danville will host a carnival from 5 to 8 p.m. in Downtown Danville. It’ll include games, inflatables, food trucks and more.
• Paxton
  • Paxton’s Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration will begin early morning on Friday with a 5K at Pells Park. Events are scheduled all day and include food vendors, a bags tournament and so much more. A full schedule of the events can be found here. The fireworks display is set to begin at 9 p.m. at Bixby Park.

• Lincoln
  • The Lincoln Children’s Parade will be held on July 4. Participants can register from 10:30-11 a.m. and meet at Scully Park. Kids are encouraged to show off their patriotic spirit, and compete in several different categories. Afterwards, free popsicles and pool games will be offered, beginning at 2 p.m. 
• Springfield
  • Knights Action in Springfield will offer free admission to celebrate the 4th. Beginning at 6 p.m., attendees can expect food, live music and a fireworks show. The fireworks display will begin at 9:30 p.m.
• Chatham
  • The Chatham Jaycees will host Freedom Fest, held in conjunction with the Village of Chatham 4^th of July fireworks. It’ll take place from 5-9 p.m. in the Chatham Community Park and will include live music, food and a community picnic atmosphere.
• Shelbyville
  • A parade will begin at 10 a.m. It’ll start at Shelbyville High School and end at Forrest Park. Following the parade, attendees can expect food trucks, music, games and more from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • The Lake Shelbyville 4^th of July fireworks will begin at dusk from Ramp Point, located in Dam West Recreation Area. Organizers recommend watching from several different locations, including: Dam West Recreation Area, Dam East Recreation Area, Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center, portions of the road across the Dam, and Dam West Overlook.

• Taylorville
  • The Taylorville 4th of July Parade is scheduled to being at 10 a.m. at the Christian County Fairgrounds. It’ll finish at the Historic Taylorville Square.
• Moweaqua
  • Moweaqua’s parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. The parade will head south to Main and Main, East to Putnam, North to Cedar, South on Hanover to Locust, and end at Central Park. Kids in the Park will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Did we miss any 4th of July events near you? Email us at news@wcia.com.