Kirkland Fourth of July festival in full swing
By DANA HERRA dherra@daily-chronicle.com
KIRKLAND – It's been 61 years since the Kirkland Lions Club held its first Fourth of July festival, and the annual event has become the club's biggest fundraiser and a hallmark celebration for the village.
"It got started primarily as a community service fundraiser, and that's what its purpose still is," Lion Ron Fruit said. "It's to raise money for projects the Lions Club runs."
Among the many projects the club funds through the festival are buying eyeglasses and acquiring seeing eye dogs for needy people in the community, helping people who need medical care and supporting youth athletic teams.
"The whole community works with us and helps us," Fruit said.
The festival's trademark is a large fireworks display Sunday night.
"We like to say it's the largest in northern Illinois, and not many care to argue with us," he said.
The festival kicked off Thursday night with rides, food and karaoke and continues through the weekend. Events are held on Third Street south of Route 72.
Following is a schedule of planned events.
Daily: Bingo, rides, a flea market and food vendors are open today from 5-10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon-10 p.m.
The beer tent is open from 5 p.m.-midnight tonight and from noon-midnight Saturday, and is closed on Sunday.
An open house at Hiawatha School is scheduled from 2-6 p.m. Saturday and 4-8 p.m. Sunday.
Friday
2 p.m. tractor show
5:30 p.m. magic show
8 p.m. live rock music by Shuvlhed
Saturday
7:30-9:30 a.m. pancake breakfast
11 a.m. parade
1 p.m. ventriloquist/storyteller performance and live music
2 p.m. science show, water fights
3 p.m. storyteller performance
4 p.m. pedal pulls, live country music
8:30 p.m. live classic rock music
Sunday
10:30 a.m. car show registration – awards given at 2:30 p.m.
4 p.m. DeKalb County Sheriff's Office K-9 demonstration
5:30-8:30 p.m. karaoke
9:30 p.m. fireworks
10:30 p.m. raffle drawing
