Winnemac Park’s popular fireworks-free Fourth For All event will return for its third year on July 4. The free event is being organized by the all-volunteer Winnemac Park Advisory Council and will feature a game of disc golf, a yoga class, a baseball game, and a performance from Full Moon Jam — a group of acrobatic fire spinners.
Event Details
Festivities will begin at 9 a.m. with a game of disc golf. A yoga class from Bloom Yoga Studio will take place from 10-11 a.m. The baseball game will feature an all-star lineup from two local adult amateur leagues: the Chicago Metropolitan Baseball Association and the Chicago Suburban Youth Baseball Association, with the first pitch at 2 p.m.
From 1-4 p.m., families can enjoy face-painting, interactive card magic, balloon-twisting, children’s story time, soccer games, building with Legos, Wiggle Worms music, nature education via the Chicago Ornithological Society, and a strolling accordionist. Food trucks will be present throughout the day, and organizers are encouraging attendees to picnic. Alcohol will not be allowed, and portable bathrooms will be available.
The event will also feature a variety of food trucks, including Tacomotora, Limoni Belli, Kona Ice, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck, Reggie’s, Empanadas 5411, and Dip N’ Double Ice Cream. Dogs are allowed, but they must be on leashes. The Damen Avenue parking lot will be closed to the public during the event.
History of the Event
The Winnemac Park Advisory Council organized the inaugural Fourth For All event in 2024 to replace the decades-long unsanctioned and controversial fireworks displays at the park. The city has a legal process for neighbors to put on a fireworks display, which requires neighbors to use city-sanctioned fireworks vendors and get support from community stakeholders as well as the Fire Department.
The park council’s free July 4 events are permitted by the city and have fire dancers instead of fireworks in compliance with city and state laws. No pyrotechnics or fireworks will be set off at the park for the council’s event.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
