Independence Day Guide: list of area municipalities hosting activities, celebrations
Activities below happen on Saturday, July 4 unless otherwise indicated.
City of Troy, Tri-Township Park
Tri-Township Park at 410 Wickliffe St. will feature a couple of water slides, food trucks, vendors, and they will have a band in the afternoon playing. Vendors and water slides open at 1 p.m. Live music begins at 6 p.m. Troy officials kicked in a little extra money for an expanded fireworks session this year, in honor of the nation’s 250th birthday and they start at 9 p.m. The Troy Chamber of Commerce says the show attracts more than 10,000 visitors annually.
City of Collinsville
Collinsville offers no fireworks this year. Instead, July 4 is Military Appreciation Day at Collinsville Aqua Park, 10 Gateway Dr. All military members, past and present, will receive free admittance! Free admission for all active-duty and veteran military members with valid proof of service. Discount applies to military personnel only.
City of Edwardsville
The Glen Carbon and Edwardsville communities will have plenty of opportunities to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States starting as early as Sunday, June 28. On that date, there will be a “Celebrating the Spirit of 1776” event at Edwardsville City Park.
The event will feature musical performances, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, historical re-enactors to entertain and a chance to sign the Declaration of Independence as a member of the community.
There will also be a large cake to decorate that will be a feature at the July 4th event at the American Legion Post #199, 58 South State Route 157, across from Woodland Elementary School.
On Tuesday, June 30, everyone is welcome to attend a screening of the movie “1776.” It will be playing at the Wildey Theatre, 252 N. Main St., starting at 7 p.m.
Edwardsville City Park will again be the location for a musical tribute to the nation’s birthday on Thursday, July 2. Starting at 7 p.m., the Edwardsville Municipal Band will provide patriotic selections for everyone’s listening pleasure. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the concert.
Saturday, July 4’s usual Goshen Market at City Park will feature a special contest – the “Stars, Stripes and Spokes Contest and Parade.” Youngsters will have a chance to show off their bikes, scooters and wagons decorated to celebrate the holiday for judging. There will be prizes for the best decorations.
Everything wraps up that afternoon and evening at the American Legion Post 199 with its annual 4th of July celebration. The event has been a tradition for nearly 25 years but will be expanded for this year’s special celebrations.
It all starts at 4 p.m., when guests are invited to enjoy an afternoon of family entertainment. There will be food and beverages on site offered by the legion and invited food trucks. A kids’ area will feature bounce houses, games and activities.
The Anheuser Busch Clydesdales will visit for an up close and personal opportunity for attendees. And, live music will provide entertainment during the afternoon and evening.
Food trucks and food offerings will include burgers, brats and hot dogs from the legion. Also bring their offerings will be Scoops Ice Cream, Mahalo Shaved Ice, Smoked Turkey Legs, Overboard Kabobs, Toasty Goat Wood-fired Pizzas, Taakozz Tacos, Philly Pretzels, McAlister’s Deli, Twisted Biscuit and snow cones.
This is a free event for everyone that will conclude with an expanded fireworks display starting at dusk.
Parking will be available at the site but there are also opportunities to park elsewhere and be shuttled to the event. Shuttle service for the events at American Legion Post 199 in Edwardsville on July 4 will run from two different locations.
Shuttles for the disabled will run from Eden Church. Everyone is asked to allow these spots for those who need handicap services.
Regular shuttles will run from Edwardsville High School and the sports complex at EHS.
All shuttles start at 3:30 p.m. and will continue until everyone is returned to their cars after the fireworks.
City of Highland
The Korte Recreation Center at Glik Park, 1 Nagel Dr., will be the spot in town at dusk for July 4 fireworks for the next 20 to 30 minutes after dusk. No bands or food are allowed on the site. Multiple portable restrooms will be available on site. The Korte Rec Center will not be open.
The walking trail along Koepfli Road will be closed on Saturday, July 4. Starting at 7 a.m. on Saturday, July 4, the Frank Watson Parkway between the Highland Cemetery and the intersection of Koepfli and Sportsman Road will be closed. The road will reopen by 5 a.m. on Sunday, July 5.
Village of Marine
The village will host its annual firemen’s picnic on June 26-27. The parade starts at 7 p.m. on June 26 and at 6 p.m. on June 27. There will be food and beer stands and live music.
Village of Maryville
The village will sponsor its annual homecoming parade on Friday, July 10 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, July 11 at 6 p.m. This year’s theme is Red, White and Woof. Also, the Maryville Heritage Museum at 112 E. Zupan St. will be open from noon to 2 p.m. on July 4.
Village of Alhambra
There will be fireworks on Sat. July 4 at dusk, along with grilled food, funnel cakes and more.
A one-man band will play before and after fireworks. All of this takes place at Alhambra Firemen and Legion Park, located at 610 West Main Street.
Village of Caseyville
The City of Caseyville will host an evening of fireworks on June 27 at 9:30 p.m. at the village’s park, located at 40 W. Reynolds St.
City of Trenton
On June 26, there will be America’s 250 Summer Bash starting at 5 p.m. in Trenton Park, 198 Park Place, #100, and on July 12, from 6-8 p.m., there will be music courtesy of the Barrelhouse Big Band, also in Trenton Park.
City of O’Fallon
America 250 events will take place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, July 3. Kicking things off will be a community parade, various festivities like live music, food and beverages in Community Park, located at 401 E. Fifth St. and fireworks after the sun sets at O’Fallon Family Sports Park, located at 301 Obernuefemann Rd. Word is that the city’s fireworks display will be larger than usual.
City of Greenville, Bond County
There will be a farmers’ market and family fair starting at 9 a.m. and Bond County will have its Fourth Fest in downtown Greenville on July 3 beginning at 4 p.m. with food trucks, a free photo booth and a United States Air Force flight simulator until 7 p.m.
At 5 p.m., Starlifter, a rock band from Scott Air Force base, will perform. All concerts at the fest are free. The carnival opens at 6 p.m. with more live music starting at 5:30 p.m. from “Big Guns” and “The Ultimate Garth Brooks Tribute Band.” Fireworks Over the Plaza cap the night off at 10 p.m.
Then on July 4 starting at 9 a.m. there will be a farmers’ market, followed at 1 p.m. by food trucks, the photo booth and the carnival opens. More children’s activities fill the afternoon, along with a flagpole dedication at 4:30 p.m. on the plaza, the Greenville Municipal Band performs at 5 p.m., the carnival continues through the evening and two other bands will perform, Levon at 6 p.m. and the Artimus Pyle Band at 8 p.m. The festival ends with a laser light show at 9:30 p.m. and an after-party band, “Box of Chocolates” at 10 p.m.
