Fireworks Cancelled, But Patriotic Picnic is Still On

Hot, dry weather has made the too great, prompting the cancellation of the fireworks display scheduled for Tuesday, July 3, at the 's .

"We met with the and departments this morning and it was a joint decision," said park district Community Relations Director Marianne Ryan. 

The decision was made as a safety precaution. This summer’s hot, dry weather and the resulting parched ground conditions have created an increased risk of fire in association with this year’s fireworks display, Ryan said in a press release. 

"I love fireworks myself," Deputy Fire Chief Jon Stratton said. "Just with the dryness and everything, and we've had a lot more wind than normal too, it's not worth the risk."

, such as Tinley Park, are going to the lengths of bringing in irrigation equipment to saturate the areas around fireworks launch and landing sites, but Stratton said that's not feasible in Plainfield.

"A lot of the places that are doing it have lakes and things [near the launch and landing sites]. We don't have anything like that," he said, adding the water level of the DuPage River is also lower than normal this year.

The park district is working to reschedule the fireworks. More information will be released as it becomes available.

The Patriotic Picnic portion of the event will continue as planned, starting at 5 p.m. at , 24120 W. Fort Beggs Drive.

"It's still a free family event," Ryan said. 

The event will provide fun activities for the entire family, including an inflatable obstacle course, “Chalk It Up” sidewalk art, family games, bean bag toss, and Play Zone activities. The event will also include touch-a-truck opportunities including military, police, fire and village vehicles, plus representation by Operation Support Our Troops, an organization that sends care packages, cards and letters of support to troops deployed overseas. A DJ will provide music throughout the evening, and the Plainfield Park District’s dance classes will perform at 7 p.m. Concessions will also be provided by the Plainfield Central High School Athletics Booster Club. 

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