Kankakee, IL – The City of Kankakee will celebrate Independence Day with an evening of live music and fireworks this Friday, July 4, along the south banks of the Kankakee River at Kankakee Community College.
Three musical performances are scheduled throughout the evening, culminating in a 25-minute fireworks display set to begin at dusk, around 9 p.m.
According to event organizers, gates at Kankakee Community College will open at 4:30 p.m. Admission is $20 per carload, cash only, with all proceeds supporting the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra. Food vendors including Jimmy Jo’s BBQ, Martinez Tacos, Oberweis Ice Cream, and concessions by the Kankakee Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra will be available starting at 4:30 p.m.
The evening’s music lineup begins with the Kankakee Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Kankakee Municipal Band at 6:30 p.m. and the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. The symphony concert will feature guest vocalist Barbi Brewer-Watson and others, performing a selection of patriotic and American classics.
The fireworks show will be visible from the KCC grounds, which offer picnic areas, handicap-accessible facilities, and indoor restrooms. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs, as no seating is provided. Grills and personal fireworks, including sparklers, are prohibited.
The event is sponsored by Riverside Medical Center, the Illinois Arts Council, the Kankakee Valley Park District, the City of Kankakee, and Kankakee Community College. KCC is located at 100 College Drive, off River Road, south of downtown Kankakee.
This community tradition continues the legacy of the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra, which was founded in 1967 to foster a shared appreciation for orchestral music in the region.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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