Our picks for events in and around Chicago this weekend.
Independence Day: U.S. at 250
What’s your wish for the future of the United States? Make it known this weekend at a day-long Chicago History Museum event celebrating the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding. Check out the newly refreshed “Facing Freedom” exhibit, participate in arts and crafts for social change, sing along with musician and educator Lenny Marsh, get Poems While You Wait, and add your hope for the future to the Wish Wall. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 4 at Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St; tickets free for Illinois residents or $17-$19 for non-residents (children 12 and under free) at chicagohistory.org
“Declarations: 250 Years of Writing Toward Independence”
Reflect on what it means to be American as you read through works referencing the Declaration of Independence by Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Martin Luther King Jr., Harvey Milk and more. The exhibit showcases an 1823 print of the Declaration of Independence (commissioned by John Quincy Adams) as well as colonial-era documents signed by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. Through Sept. 7 at the American Writers Museum, 180 N. Michigan Ave.; tickets from $10 (children 12 and under free) at americanwritersmuseum.org
Independence Day Fireworks
Navy Pier promises an extended, 15-minute show commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States. It’ll be set to music and — as always — set over Lake Michigan against the city’s skyline. 10-10:15 p.m. July 4 from Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave.; details on the free event at navypier.org
Independence Day Salute
The Grant Park Orchestra plays rousing patriotic favorites — from Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man” to John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever” — along with George Gershwin’s “Three Preludes,” Carlos Gardel’s “Tango (Por Una Cabeza”), a medley of Hollywood blockbusters and more. Christopher Bell conducts this free outdoor concert, part of the Grant Park Music Festival. 7:30-8:45 p.m. July 4 in Jay Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E. Randolph St.; free seating on a first-come, first-served basis; reserved seating from $28 at grantparkmusicfestival.com
The People’s Fourth
Yes, tickets for the Obama Presidential Center are sold out (a new batch goes on sale July 8), but use the holiday as an excuse to explore everything else the center offers. To celebrate the 4th, DJ Hot Rod, Mucca Pazza and Melody Angel will perform on the John Lewis Plaza. Be sure to wander the extensive grounds, including the playground, the Great Lawn’s sledding hill (kids are already rolling down it), and the Ann Dunham Water Terrace featuring a Maya Lin sculpture. Escape the heat in the Chicago Public Library branch or the center’s cafes and public spaces. 2-7 p.m. July 4 at John Lewis Plaza, 6001 S. Stony Island Ave.; details on the free event at obama.org
4th on 53rd Parade and Festival
Would you like to be in a parade — rather than watch one? This is your parade. Arrive at 10 a.m. to the Hyde Park Bank parking at 1525 E. 53rd St. to decorate your bike — and then ride in the parade. Of course, spectators are welcome, too, and once it’s over, follow the parade to Nichols Park for a festival. Expect lots of family fun, including a horse corral, games, bouncy houses and face paint as well as music and entertainment. Parade steps off at 11 a.m. July 4 and proceeds primarily along Hyde Park Boulevard and East 53rd Street; festival from noon-3 p.m. in Nichols Park, 1355 E. 53rd St.; details on the free events at 4thon53rdparade.com
Evanston Fourth of July Celebration
U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, who’s set to retire after holding the 9th congressional district office for more than 25 years, will serve as grand marshal of Evanston’s Fourth of July Parade. It’s the focal point of the day’s festivities, which also include morning games, a fun run and a performance by the Palatine Concert Band at 7:30 p.m. in Dawes Park, 1700 Sheridan Road. The day ends with a 23-minute fireworks display over Lake Michigan. Parade steps off at 2 p.m. July 4 primarily along Central Street from Central Park to Ashland avenues. Lakefront fireworks at 9:30 p.m.; details on free events at evanston4th.org
Frontier Days
Arlington Heights celebrates 50 years of Frontier Days, a free festival that’s expanded to five days of fun. Yes, it features a parade on July 4, but also expect carnival rides, live music, volleyball, soccer, pickleball, a fun run, a water fight and much more. Parade steps off at 10 a.m. on Dunton Avenue from Oakton Street, traveling south before turning east on Miner Street to Recreation Park. Festival through July 5 in Recreation Park, 500 E. Miner St., Arlington Heights; details on the free event at frontierdays.org
Northwest Fourth-Fest
For fireworks, go on July 3. Drones will light up the sky on Independence Day. This five-day festival features a carnival midway, live entertainment, kid-friendly performers and activities (petting zoo included) — not to mention a parade. Parade steps off at 9 a.m. July 4 on Illinois Boulevard from Paris Lane to Evanston Street. Through July 5 at 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates; details on the free event at northwestfourthfest.com
Tinley Park Country Fest
Ashley Walls, Eric Chesser and Knievel’s Daredevil Band headline the three-day country music festival celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. Expect carnival rides, games, stilt walkers, craft vendors and plenty of barbecue. July 3-5 at the 80th Avenue Metra Station, 18001 S. 80th Ave., Tinley Park; tickets from $18 (half-price for Tinley Park residents Friday and Sunday, free for Tinley Park residents on Saturday; children 12 and under free) at tinleyparkcountryfest.com
Have something to do around Chicago? Email events to day.chitribevents@gmail.com.
