Shannon McAuliffe said she remembers her first time working a festival with her family when she was 11 years old, selling pizzas and running around working hard.
For the McAuliffes, longtime owners of Durbin’s Pizza in Tinley Park, restaurants and festivals are a family business.
The family is taking on their largest festival yet this weekend, hosting Tinley Park’s first Country Fest to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday. The village will also host two nights of fireworks.
“Bringing people together, even just throughout the years, when you see the people out there, listening to the music, it’s just a very nice atmosphere, and I really appreciate bringing the community and businesses together,” McAuliffe said.
“We said, let’s go big for the 250 year anniversary,” she said.
The McAuliffes are not the only people taking on something new for the nation’s semiquincentennial anniversary. Local business owners, municipalities and residents across Chicago’s South and Southwest suburbs have all announced ways they plan to do a little more this July 4.
Tinley Park’s Inaugural Country Fest
Tinley Park Country Fest will feature three days of live country music, fireworks, carnival rides, award-winning BBQ, family entertainment and craft vendors July 3 through 5 at 18001 S. 80th Avenue.
The festival will operate Friday from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. and July 5 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Tinley Park residents can qualify for half-price admission on Friday and Sunday and free admission on Saturday with proof of residency. General admission tickets are $18.39 and can be purchased on Eventbrite or Tailgreeter websites.
Performing artists include Ashley Walls, Eric Chesser, Whiskey Friends: The Morgan Wallen Experience, Billy Gray Music, The Walk-Ins, Woulda Coulda Shoulda and the Knievel Daredevil Band.
Most importantly, said McAuliffe, the festival is offering a free shuttle service from two designated parking locations, the Tinley Park Convention Center and Oak Park Avenue Metra Station.
“They can just park and enjoy the festival and come back with no problem, without dealing with all the traffic and congestion,” she said.
McAuliffe said the family would like to continue Country Fest in the following years, just maybe not on Independence Day.
“There’s been talk of maybe not doing it on this weekend since there’s a lot going on,” she said. “But this was a good year to do it on this weekend because of the 250 anniversary.”
The village and park district are also hosting two days of firework shows, which McAuliffe said can both be seen from the festival.
The first is scheduled for July 3, just south of the 80th Avenue train station, followed by a second show on July 4 at dusk during the annual Independence Day celebration at McCarthy Park.
Orland Park Independence Day Celebration
In Orland Park, residents and visitors can attend two days of family-friendly activities, live entertainment and patriotic festivities.
“This historic semiquincentennial is a once-in-a-generation occasion to come together as a community, enjoy fantastic entertainment, great food and a spectacular fireworks display,” said Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge.
The celebration begins Friday, July 3, with the annual Veterans Liberty Run and Walk at 7 p.m., beginning at the 153rd Street Metra Station. A 50-yard dash for children will follow the race, at approximately 7:30 p.m.
A 250th celebration will be held at Centennial Park West Saturday with country band Tim Gleason and the Whiskey Disco, followed by headliner The HITS: A Musical Tribute to the Spirit of America. Fireworks are set to begin at 9:30 p.m., with a few local performances beforehand.
The village encouraged guests to bring lawn chairs, blankets, snacks and beverages. Admission and parking are free.
Country Club Hills Fireworks Show: Celebrate the nation’s anniversary with live entertainment, food and fireworks at the Country Club Hills Amphitheater, located at 4150 West 183rd Street. Gates open at 6 p.m. and admission is free.
Blue Island: The Fourth of July Parade begins at noon on July 4 at Western and High Street. Festival and fireworks at Memorial Park, located at 12804 Highland Ave.
Frankfort: The celebration begins at 6:30 p.m. July 4 at Main Park , located at 200 S. Locust St., with music, then fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
Harvey: The city’s celebrations begin at 2 p.m. July 3, with an Independence Day parade and carnival.
Joliet: Joliet Slammers baseball games include post-game fireworks the nights of July 3-4 at Joliet Slammers Stadium, located at 1 Mayor Art Schultz Drive.
Lemont: For Freedom Days 2026, a July 3 celebration at Centennial Park, located at 16028 W. 127th St., includes live bands and fireworks.
Lockport: City of Lockport and Lockport Township Park District are hosting the annual fireworks show on July 3 at dusk in Dellwood Park, located at the corner of Woods Drive and Highway 171.
Mokena: The village’s annual fireworks will be at 9:30 p.m. July 3, with live music and magic shows starting at 5 p.m. in Main Park, located at 10925 W. La Porte Road. Then a parade at 10 a.m. July 4 from LaPorte and Wolf Roads.
New Lenox: Fireworks at 9:20 p.m. July 4 at New Lenox Village Commons, located at 101 Veterans Parkway, with music from 6 p.m. by the Joliet American Legion Band, then Jim Peterik and the Ides of March.
Palos Heights: Inflatables and games from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 3 in Community Park, located at south of Route 83 on 76th Avenue. At 5 p.m., food and music start in Memorial Park, located at 7600 W. College Drive, followed by fireworks at 9:15 p.m. A parade kicks off at noon July 4 on Harlem Avenue.
South Holland: A Fourth of July Celebration includes a Family Fun Festival from noon to 4 p.m. July 4, with carnival games, petting zoo, roller rink, bounce houses and a performance by the South Holland Municipal Band. The park reopens at 6 p.m. July 4 and for a special America 250 fireworks show at dusk. There is a $10 charge for non-residents for the evening event. All activities are at Veterans Memorial Park, located at 500 E. 160th Place.
Rich Township: United Under the Stars, a regional celebration hosted by Rich Township in honor of America’s 250th Birthday, will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, at the Olympia Fields Park District, located at 20712 Western Ave., Olympia Fields.
A parade will begin at 6 p.m., live music at 7 p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m.
Admission is free, and township officials encouraged attendees to RSVP in advance.
awright@chicagotribune.com
