All aboard: The Illinois Railway Museum’s 4th of July Trolley Pageant/Chicago, Aurora & Elgin Centennial Day includes the museum’s annual trolley parade–the largest display of trolleys in the Midwest. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the construction of the Chicago, Aurora & Elgin, one of three major interurban lines that served the Chicago area. The museum’s historic wood and steel CA&E cars will operate to re-create the 1957 suspension of service. Visitors can participate in the re-enactment. Trolleys, coach trains and interurbans also will be operating.
4th of July Trolley Pageant/Chicago, Aurora & Elgin Centennial Day, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, Illinois Railway Museum, Union. $7-$9. 1-800-BIG-RAIL.
— Stephanie Price
Make fireworks
This 4th of July, Don’t just watch fireworks, make ’em. The DuPage County Historical Museum presents Victorian 4th of July Saturday and Sunday. Learn how children in the 1890s made “daylight” fireworks out of paper that floats and twirls in the air. Come get a head start on your Independence Day celebrations by making your own “whirls, parachutes and thunderbolts” to take home.
Victorian 4th of July, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. DuPage County Historical Museum, 102 E. Wesley St., Wheaton. Free. 630-682-7343.
— Stephanie Price
You’ll dig this
A scavenger hunt will send kids out to the demonstration garden behind the Garfield Park Conservatory to find the signs of summer. The garden, the size of a city lot, has black-eyed Susans, cone flowers, rosemary and fennel, which attract butterflies. Kids will discover a composting machine and a worm bin, where they can dig in the dirt to find creatures that benefit the soil. The scavenger hunt is more than just plain fun–it will give families ideas about growing a garden of their own.
Scavenger Hunt: Summer’s Here, 1 p.m. Sat., Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave. Free. 312-742-PLAY.
— Nancy Maes
Kids lead the way
Kids can bring their bikes, decorated for the 4th of July, and their pets to be a part of the 4th of July parade in Highland Park. In fact, kids will lead the procession, whose theme this year is “Honoring Our Heroes From Sea to Shining Sea.” When their ride at the head of the parade comes to an end, youngsters can play relay races, try to win a Hula Hoop contest, take a ride on a pony or a miniature train and enjoy carnival games.
Children’s Bike & Pet Parade, 9:45 a.m. Thursday, municipal parking lot, south of Central Avenue facing St. Johns Ave., Highland Park. 847-432-0284. Fourth Fest, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, Sunset Park, Highland Park. Free admission, activities priced separately. 847-432-2442.
— Nancy Maes
Screen things
Combine movie watching and fresh air at Mokena Main Park Friday. Bring your lawn chair and settle down on the grass to enjoy a showing of “Monsters, Inc.” on the park’s giant outdoor screen. Refreshments will be available.
“Monsters, Inc.,” 8:45 p.m. Friday, Mokena Main Park, 10925 LaPorte Rd., Mokena. Free. 708-479-1020.
— Pat Harper
See like a settler
Re-create the experience of viewing the prairie landscape that greeted the first settlers at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in Wilmington Friday. Interpreters will guide you through the rare prairie ecosystem and wetlands on the Midewin grounds.
The exploration of the prairie begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, 30071 South U.S. Highway 53, Wilmington. $2. 815-423-6370.
— Pat Harper
