Jefferson County communities are planning a full week of events to mark America’s 250th birthday, centered around Fairfield and Libertyville.
Fairfield is kicking off its celebration a couple of days early with an Independence Day Parade on Thursday, July 2nd. Line-up begins at Fairfield High School at 5:00 p.m., with the parade heading to the downtown square at 6:00 p.m. The Fairfield Public Library is organizing a Bike Brigade as part of the parade and is accepting donated decorations that participants can put on bikes, wagons, and strollers between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. Decorations can be dropped off at the library or the Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce ahead of time. The chamber will award Chamber Bucks to the top three parade entries.
Following the parade, the Jefferson County Democrats and Republicans will host an ice cream social, with live music running from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Downtown businesses will stay open late, and the Fairfield Recreation Center will host a free outdoor teen pool party from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. for youth entering grades six through twelve.
On Friday, July 3rd, First Fridays ArtWalk runs from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. with live music, lawn games, food vendors, and more. The Fairfield Public Library will also host a free screening of the 1972 musical 1776 earlier that afternoon, along with a discussion called “America 250 — The Founders’ Book Shelf” from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
On the morning of July 4th, the 34th Army Band will perform at 10:00 a.m. at the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center. Shortly after, a time capsule from 1976 will be unearthed on the lawn outside the Jefferson County Courthouse. That evening, fireworks will light up the sky at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds at dusk.
Rounding out the week, the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will host a public reading of the Declaration of Independence on Wednesday, July 8th at 7:00 p.m. in Central Park. Organizers chose that date because, while the Declaration was signed on July 4th, 1776, it was not read publicly until four days later.
In Libertyville, July 4th brings a full day of family activities. Sand volleyball will be available all day at the Dew Drop, with tacos served at noon. From 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Church Creek, activities include face painting and henna tattoos, a giant slip-and-slide, splash pad, bags, and lawn games, and burgers, brats, and hot dogs served from 5:00 p.m. The Brass Pear Band will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. at the Last Bell and play through 11:00 p.m., breaking for fireworks at dusk. A beer tent, water, and soda will be available on the grounds, and a 50/50 drawing will be held during the band with proceeds going toward next year’s celebration. In the event of rain, fireworks will be held on Sunday.
