Finding fireworks for Independence Day Weekend 2022

fireworks, university of illinois
Fireworks above Assembly Hall in 2014.

URBANA – Here’s a partial list of professional fireworks displays for Independence Day weekend, July 1-4, 2022:

July 1

Freedom Fest – Lake of the Woods, Mahomet – fireworks begin at 9:00 p.m.

Farmer City Raceway Fireworks – 850 Grove Street, Farmer City – fireworks begin at dusk

July 2

Thunder Over Lake Vermilion – Danville Boat Club – fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m.

July 3

Monticello Freedom Festival – Lodge Park, Monticello – fireworks begin at 9:00 p.m.

Rantoul Fireworks – Rantoul Aviation Center – fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m.

July 4

Champaign County Freedom Celebration – State Farm Center Parking Lots, Champaign – fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m.

Decatur Park District 4th of July – Nelson Park, Decatur – fireworks begin at dusk

Paxton’s July 4th Celebration – Pells Park, Paxton, with fireworks at Bixby Park, starting at 9 PM

Charleston Red White & Blue Days – Festival at Morton Park, fireworks at Coles County Memorial Airport at dusk

July 5

Clinton 4th of July Celebration – Presented at dusk by the Celebrate Clinton Association — recommended viewing area: the Kleeman Drive/Sunrise Court area on the west side of Clinton. 

July 9 

Tuscola Sparks in the Park – Fireworks at dusk at Tuscola’s Ervin Park. The Tuscola VFW Patriot Parade is Monday July 4, with lineup beginning at noon at Ervin Park.

Reginald Hardwick

Reginald Hardwick is the News & Public Affairs Director at Illinois Public Media. He oversees daily newscasts and online stories. He also manages The 21st Show, a live, weekday talk show that airs on six NPR stations throughout Illinois. He is the executive producer of IPM's annual environmental TV special "State of Change." And he is the co-creator of Illinois Soul, IPM's Black-focused audio service that launched in February 2024. Before arriving at IPM in 2019, he served as News Director at WKAR in East Lansing and spent 17 years as a TV news producer and manager at KXAS, the NBC-owned station in Dallas/Fort Worth. Reginald is the recipient of three Edward R. Murrow regional awards, seven regional Emmy awards, and multiple honors from the National Association of Black Journalists. Born in Vietnam, Reginald grew up in Colorado and is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado. Email: rh14@illinois.edu Twitter: @RNewsIPM