4th July (Peoria, Springfield, Champaign: casino, live, shop)

[Aussie Traveller]

Hi all
we are travelling Route 66 during June/July and will be in Illinois for the 4th of July.
We'd love to experience a 'small town' 4th July parade - but are having trouble trying to find out what is happening in some of the towns we are passing through around that time
can anyone tell me what sort of celebrations are going on in places like
bloomington/normal/odell/towanda/lexington/dwight .... those places outside chicago on the Route or close by

or if you could point me in the direction of the local councils that i could email to find out

thanks
Kat

[rgb123]

I'm not sure. The city websites should have that information as it becomes available. The thing to keep in mind is that very often, the 4th of July celebrations are done on weekend before or after the actual holiday so that working people can go them. The fireworks are usually on Saturday nights and the parades are usually on Saturday or Sunday during the day.

I'd bet Bloomington would be a good one. Very nice downtown area, more likely to put on a good show too than the others you mention...but perhaps others will have more info! I was in bloomington for the fireworks one year but have to admit I wasn't really paying attention

[shannon1963]

One of the best July 4 festivals in Illinois is in Dixon. It is called the Petunia Festival. It is a little out of your way but well worth the trip. I have included the website for your consideration. I lived in Dixon for 21 years. The town is about 15,000 and puts on one heck of a fireworks display. http://www.petuniafestival.org/

[illini84]

Champaign isn't too far from the area and they put on one heck of a show! I wouldn't really call Champaign a "small town", but it isn't exactly a large city either. Check out the city website www.ci.champaign.il.us when it gets closer to time, and also the local newspaper www.newsgazette.com

[doll lady]

I'm from the Springfield area but we almost always go to Peoria for their riverfront celebration....fireworks are done over the river set to music....plus the riverfront stores, vendors, food are just really great for July 4.

Peoria isn't exactly small either and is just a few miles from Bloomington.....plus there are other things to do there....do a search on this forum for other Peoria related topics ....there have been quite a few topics related to things to do in Peoria (great architecture, casino, antiques, retail shopping, riverboat trips, good food, etc)

Also since you are traveling Route 66...Springfield is the host city for the Route 66 celebration but dangnabit it's not until September.....but make sure you visit the cozy dog drive in and Bill Shea's Route 66 memorabilia garage. I am putting a couple of route 66 sites on here....one lists sites to see on the Route 66 trip.



http://www.peoriaparks.org/river/riv..._calendar.html

http://www.peoria.org/

http://www.cozydogdrivein.com/

http://www.krausehouse.ca/krause/PhotoUSASept2003.htm

[Katiana]

I'd vote for Champaign, though the fireworks over the river in Peoria sound good, too. I have been to the Champaign fireworks display and it is great! It is held at the U of I stadium or was when I lived there anyway. When I worked as a hospital nurse on the 4th of July, I would try to get assigned patients on the side of the hospital where I could see the fireworks! Crazy, huh? And then I had a baby on the 4th of July! I hated working the holidays, but I was glad someone was working that day.

[brightmidnight]

Since you'll be traveling on Route 66, this might interest you. St. Louis always has Fair St. Louis, a 4 or 5-day festival, with fireworks every night around the Fourth of July.

I've been to the celebrations in NYC and Washington DC and they can't hold a candle to St. Louis' fireworks by the Arch. They probably have a show on July 5 or maybe even the 6th if you'll be there by then.

(STL is on Route 66.)
Don't miss Ted Drewes' Custard in St. Louis on your way through. It's on the Route.

[mikea54]

Originally Posted by brightmidnight

Since you'll be traveling on Route 66, this might interest you. St. Louis always has Fair St. Louis, a 4 or 5-day festival, with fireworks every night around the Fourth of July.

I've been to the celebrations in NYC and Washington DC and they can't hold a candle to St. Louis' fireworks by the Arch. They probably have a show on July 5 or maybe even the 6th if you'll be there by then.

(STL is on Route 66.)
Don't miss Ted Drewes' Custard in St. Louis on your way through. It's on the Route.

This guy is on about St. Louis, but, many small town within an hour of St. Louis. Try to google Millstadt for they still follow the tradition of parade, picnic, and fireworks. Try the roasted corn on the cob, cooked over a fire still in its husk. Cant beat Illinois sweet corn. Enjoy your travels.

[M TYPE X]

Champaign's fireworks last year were very good. Why drive Route 66? I-55 is too slow for me as it is!

[Aussie Traveller]

thank you everyone ... i've got all the webpages up now to go through and see what i can find - maybe too many to chose from now !!!!!

we've done Route 66 before ... loved it so much coming back for the second time !!!!

thanks again for your help

~Kat~