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May 2012  |  By Mibs  |  Comments

2012 North Shore Fireworks

Looking for your fireworks or parade fix on the 4^th of July?

Here's where to go—but before you head out the door, you might want to check out the best places to go for a picnic on the go, or to grab an ice cream cone afterward:

Barrington:

Barrington’s Fourth of July Brat Tent Festivities is a six day event from Friday, June 29^th—Wednesday, July 4^th.  It is held in the Metra parking lot in Downtown Barrington and includes bands, kids activities, food, and drinks.

Barrington's 4^th of July Parade begins at 10:00 a.m. and will stretch along Main St. from Barrington High School to the train station.

Fireworks will be held on July 4^th at dusk!

Deerfield:

Deerfield Family Days spans July 3^rd & July 4^th, 2012, with entertainment on July 3^rd at Brickyards Park and fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

Head to Jewett Park July 4^th for a pancake breakfast, art & crafts/gourmet food market, bike show, dog show, rotary 10k race, petting zoo, pony rides, a parade, a flower show and food concessions!

Evanston:

Evanston's 4^th of July Parade begins at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 4^th. The parade starts at Central Park Avenue East on Central Street and goes to Ashland Avenue. (Lawn charis can be placed on Central Ave. beginning at 6:00 a.m. on July 1^st.)

Lakefront Fireworks go off at 9:15 p.m.  The 2012 musical fireworks extravaganza will be launched from Clark Street Beach and can be viewed from any part of the lakefront area east of Downtown Evanston.  Watch the fireworks and tune into 90.5 FM to listen to the tunes!

Glenview:

Kick off Glenview's Independence Day Celebration with a children's decorated bike parade on July 4^th at 11:00 a.m. with the main parade starting at 11:30 a.m. This year’s parade starts at the OLPH parking lot, goes west on Glenview Road, turns south on Harlem to Central, then marches west on Central ending at Johns Park.

At 7:30 p.m. the 2012 Twilight Show will begin.  Taking place on the beautiful grounds of the Glenview Park Golf Club, 800 Shermer Rd., the Twilight Show begins with a patriotic concert by the 100-piece North Shore Concert Band. The show is climaxed by fireworks synchronized to the patriotic music.

Great Lakes Naval Base:

July 4th Celebration at the Great Lakes Naval Base—This is a two day event that will include a craft fair, a 5k run, carnival rides, a kid's zone, bingo special live entertainment, live music, food and beverage tents and, of course, the famous fireworks. The event has free admission and is open to the public.  It will take place at Ross Field at the Great Lakes Naval Base on Sheridan Road.

Fireworks will be set off both July 3^rd and 4^th.

Highland Park:

The Park District of Highland Park presents a 10:00 a.m. Fourth of July Parade in Downtown Highland Park and a Fourth Fest from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Sunset Woods Park featuring a petting zoo, carnival games, inflatable rides, pony and train rides, live entertainment and concessions.

From 8:15 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. float and watch fireworks at Hidden Creek AquaPark—there's nothing like relaxing in the pool while gazing up in the sky to watch the spectacular display of colors.  $5/person, all proceeds benefit S.M.I.L.E. For more information call 847.433.3170

At dusk there will be fireworks at Wolters Field. For more information call 847.432.0800.

Lake Bluff:

Lake Bluff 4th of July Celebration—Parade at 10:00 a.m. from Oak Ave. on East Center Ave.

Lake Forest:

Lake Forest Festival and Fireworks—On July 4^th you can head to Deerpath Park for live bands, including \Kenny Loggins as the main headliner.  Gates open at 5:00 p.m. with a $10 admission (gates opening just before the fireworks for those who only want to see the fireworks).  The display begins at 9:30 p.m.

Libertyville:

Enjoy a performance on July 4^th by the Village Band at 7:30 p.m. in the RHW Bandshell before the fireworks displayat 9:30 p.m. at Butler Lake Park (820 Lake Street).

Morton Grove:

Don't miss Morton Grove Days, a festival on July 4^th which features carnival rides, a beer garden, live entertainment, delicious food, and a parade and fireworks display! Morton Grove Park District fireworks at 9:30 p.m. at Harrer Park, 6250 Dempster Street.

Northbrook:

Be sure to stop by the Village Green Park for pancakes, music and family games all morning on July 4^th and check out the bike parade beginning at 2:00 p.m.

Northbrook's 4th of July parade features floats, music and fun for all ages starting at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4^th. It begins at Cherry and Western and ends at the Village Green Park with this year’s theme being Imagine.

Fireworks start at 8:45 p.m. at the Velodrome, located on Maple Ave just west of Waukegan Road.

Skokie:

The Skokie Independence Day parade begins at noon on Wednesday, July 4^th with the party moving to the Niles West High School at 5 p.m. for food, drinks and live bands. The spectacular 3-D Fireworks Fest begins at dusk, with the first 10,000 patrons receiving a free pair of 3-D glasses. For more event information call (847) 674-1500.

Vernon Hills:

The Fourth of July parade steps off at 9:00 a.m. at the corner of Deerpath and Atrium Drive, just south of Highway 60 (Town Line Road). Vernon Hills Park District also sponsors live entertainment at Century Park beginning at 6:30 p.m., with fireworks wrapping up the show at approximately 9:30 p.m., set off by Mayor Roger Byrne.

Wilmette:

Festivities begin July 3^rd with live music, food, games, rides, tumblers and animal shows starting at 4:00 p.m. at Gilson Park. This event closes with a firework display at 9:30 p.m. over Lake Michigan.

Winnetka:

Kick off Winnetka's Fourth of July Celebrations with the parade at 10:00 a.m. at Elm and Glendale on July 4^th. Activites begin on the Village Green at 11:00 a.m. with a children's flag parade and family races. Wrap up the evening with Fourthfest at 6:30 p.m. at Duke Childs Field with face-painters, balloonists, moon walks and giant slides. The spectacular fireworks show begins at 9:15 p.m.

Need more things to do this weekend? We've got the lineup right here.