Wednesday, September 12, 2012
The 4th of July fireworks show cancelled due to hot, dry weather has been rescheduled for Sept. 15.
Fourth of July may be over, but the fireworks are back on. After drought conditions forced the Plainfield Park District to cancel the fireworks display at its July 3 Patriotic Picnic, residents will get another chance to watch the sky light up this Saturday. The park district is teaming up with the Plainfield Riverfront Foundation to host a fireworks display at 8:30 p.m. during River Days. Viewing areas with simulcast sound will include the River Days site at Riverfront Park, located at 24321 W. Lockport St. on the west side of the riverfront in downtown Plainfield; and Plainfield Central High School, 24120 W. Fort Beggs Drive. You can also catch the show from St. Mary Immaculate Church, 15629 S. Route 59, although the simulcast music will…
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
U.S. Census Bureau offers a roundup of everything you ever wanted to know — and more — about Independence Day.
- NEWS
-
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Editor's note: This article originally ran in July 2011 On this day in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. As always, this most American of holidays will be marked by parades, fireworks and backyard barbecues across the country. Here are some fun facts and figures about the Fourth of July, courtesy of the U.S. Census Bureau. 2.5 million In July 1776, the estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation. Source: Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970 311.7 million The nation's estimated population on this Fourth of July. Source: Population clock $3.2 million In 2010, the dollar value…
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Fireworks display will be rescheduled, possibly for another Plainfield summertime event, organizers say.
The fireworks may be cancelled, but there's still fun to be had at Plainfield Park District's July 3 Patriotic Picnic. The event kicks off at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Plainfield Central High School, 24120 W. Fort Beggs Drive. The free family event offers concessions, courtesy of the Plainfield Central Athletic Boosters, an inflatable obstacle course, "Chalk It Up" sidewalk art, bean bag toss, games and touch-a-track opportunities featuring police, fire, military aand village vehicles, plus representation by Operation Support Our Troops. Plainfield Park District dance classes will perform at 7 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, picnic baskets and coolers, although alcohol is not allowed. Park district Community Relations …
Monday, July 2, 2012
Independence Day closings in Plainfield
Village Hall: Village offices will be closed in observance of the holiday. Plainfield Public Library: The library will be closed July 4, but the book drop is always open, and patrons can access the library online 24/7 at www.plainfield.lib.il.us. Plainfield Post Office: Since it’s a federal holiday, don’t expect any mail on Wednesday. Plainfield Park District: Park district offices and facilities are closed, with one exception: The Ottawa Street Pool will have open swim hours from 1 to 8 p.m.
Among the options: fireworks, Joliet Slammers baseball, swimming at Splash Station and the Joliet Bike Club's July Metric Ride.
If you're planning to stick close to Joliet this 4th of July, here are a few options that will get you out of the house but won't take a huge bite out of your wallet. The annual 4th of July fireworks presentation, sponsored by the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce, will begin at about 9:15 p.m. July 4 at Joliet Memorial Stadium, 3000 W. Jefferson St. Gates will open at 6 p.m. A music program begins at 8 p.m. Free admission. Information: 815-727-5371. (Reminder: There is no fireworks display at Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park this year.) Fireworks will be presented after the July 3 and 4 Joliet Slammers games. Tickets are $5 for lawn seats and $10 for grandstand seats. Games start at 7:05 p.m., both nights they are playing the Kentucky's …
Keegan Eich, 14, will take the stage with headliner Maggie Speaks on Wednesday night.
At just 14 years old, Keegan Eich has big dreams. “He wants to be the next Justin Bieber,” dad Brian said. “He wants to be performing in front of sell-out crowds.” He’ll get a taste of fame on Wednesday when he performs at Bolingbrook’s Fourth of July celebration with headliner Maggie Speaks. The band is set to take the stage at 7:45 p.m. at Bolingbrook Golf Club, 2001 Rodeo Dr., Bolingbrook. Brian, owner of the Eich’s Sports complex in Plainfield, said he was approached by Maggie Speaks lead singer Dave Calzaretta, whose daughter plays volleyball at Eich’s. After seeing clips of the Plainfield teen on YouTube, Calzaretta invited him to peform with the band last week at Rotary GroveFest in Downers Grove. But it wasn’t Keegan’s first turn …
Friday, June 29, 2012
Fourth of July crackdown has already begun.
- PUBLIC SAFETY
-
Friday, June 29, 2012
The following is taken from a press release issued by the Plainfield Police Department: The Plainfield Police Department will step up traffic enforcement of drunk and unbuckled drivers in conjunction with the July 4 holiday. The enforcement will focus on the late-night hours, since statistics show a disproportionate number of traffic deaths occur late at night and involve a drunk driver and/or unbuckled motorist. The crackdown is part of the statewide Independence Day Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and Click It or Ticket efforts. Since the Fourth of July is one of the deadliest holidays due to an increase in drunken driving fatalities, Plainfield officers will be out in full force over the holiday, showing zero tolerance for drunk drivers…
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Plainfield Park District's pre-Fourth of July celebration will go on, minus the pyrotechnics.
Hot, dry weather has made the risk of fire caused by errant fireworks too great, prompting the cancellation of the fireworks display scheduled for Tuesday, July 3, at the Plainfield Park District's Patriotic Picnic. "We met with the police and fire 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 …
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Plainfield firefighters will be on alert during this year’s Fourth of July fireworks display; officials caution at-home fireworks pose a greater risk.
Updated: On Thursday, the park district announced it is cancelling the fireworks display at the July 3 Patriotic Picnic. ---------------------- Original story: Most summers, Plainfield averages about an inch per week of rain, according to Plainfield Deputy Fire Chief Jon Stratton. But recent dry conditions mean that once-lush lawns are now brown and dry — and perfect kindling for an errant firework. Stratton said fire officials are in talks with Plainfield Park District staff on ways to keep the community safe from grass fires during this year’s Patriotic Picnic and Fireworks Display, set for Tuesday, July 3, at Plainfield Central High School. “I do know there are communities that are cancelling their fireworks,” Stratton said, although …
What's the fine for playing with illegal fireworks? What are some safety tips for this weekend? And what's the best way to photograph the big patriotic fireworks show?
Fourth of July weekend is nearly upon us, and we're here to make sure you don't blow off your hands, blow a good photo opportunity or blow over the legal limit. Whether you want to know why you can't set off your own fireworks, where to see a local show and how to photograph that show, read below. You can have sparklers, smoke bombs and party poppers, but the fun stops there. Fireworks are illegal in Illinois, and if you're caught with them the penalty can range from a small fine to nearly a year in prison. Sgt. Mike Fisher of the Plainfield Police Department said while it's OK to have things like sparklers and smoke bombs, the local fine for possessing the stuff that goes boom doubled this year to $500. "This year they upped the ordinance…
Ed Arter
8:23 am on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
HH for Mayor! more ›