Izaak Walton Preserve, 1100 Ridge Road, will host its annual community picnic featuring traditional games for all ages following the Homewood 4th of July parade.
For the fifth year, preserve volunteers are hosting the event that has been a Homewood tradition for decades.
The event starts with a bag toss tournament at 11:30 a.m.
More games will begin at noon near the pavilion in the east meadow, including foot races for young kids, three-legged sack races for older kids and adults, water balloon toss, egg toss and catch and tug-of-war.
Activity stations will also be located around the meadow, including ball toss, Legos, building blocks, face painting and more.
Preserve volunteers will serve food from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., including brats, hot dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, corn on the cob, corn pudding, gourmet wraps, watermelon slices, ice cream and cookie treats, soft drinks and water.
Local sponsors for the event include the Homewood Science Center, GoodSpeed Cycles and John Harrell State Farm Insurance.
Parades
Homewood and Flossmoor each will hold parades in the morning.
The annual Flossmoor Volunteer Fire Corporation’s Children’s Bicycle Parade will start at 10 a.m. in the village hall parking lot, 2800 Flossmoor Road, and end at the Flossmoor Park ball fields.
Kids are invited to decorate their bikes, wagons or scooters in red, white and blue and join the parade.
Homewood’s 4th of July parade will begin at St. John Neumann Church, 17951 Dixie Highway, go south to Ridge Road and east to the Izaak Walton Preserve.
The quiet zone of the parade will be on Dixie Highway before the marchers turn onto Ridge Road for the walk down to the Izaak Walton Preserve.
The parade will include bands and decorated floats sponsored by local businesses and community organizations.
Other celebrations
South Holland’s free festival in Veterans Memorial Park, 500 E. 160th Place, goes from noon to 4 p.m. There will be carnival games, roller skating rink, petting zoo, face painting, bounce houses and music by the South Holland Municipal Band.
Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park. Gates open at 6 p.m. The show is free for residents. Tickets for non-residents are $8 in advance for anyone age 6 and up, $10 at the gate.
Thornton will host its celebration from 6 to 10 p.m. in Hubbard Park, West Margaret Street and Hubbard Street. Free hot dogs will be available from 6 to 7:30 p.m. or while supplies last. The fireworks show will begin at sundown.
Tinley Park’s celebration from 6 to 10 p.m. will be held in McCarthy Park at 80th Avenue and 169th Street. Radio Gaga will perform at 7 p.m. The fireworks show will begin at 9:30 p.m.
