The annual Fourth of July Celebration in DeKalb is more than a summer event. It’s a cherished tradition that brings our community together. Families and friends have been gathering at Hopkins Park, 1403 Sycamore Road, or various locations throughout the city for decades to watch the spectacular fireworks show. It’s a holiday tradition that we all share and a testament to the strong bonds that unite us. Visitors bring their blankets, chairs, and picnics to enjoy live music and the fireworks co-sponsored by the City of DeKalb and the DeKalb Park District.

The holiday kicks off with the highly anticipated annual Independence Day Run/Walk, an excellent opportunity to start your day with a healthy and fun activity. This chip-timed race, starting and finishing at Hopkins Park, allows participants to choose between a 5K or 10K route. The race is followed by an award ceremony, where participants can celebrate their achievements. The Early Bird 5K fee is $30, and the 10K fee is $40, which includes a race bag with a bib, participation medal, and race t-shirt. Register by June 27 for the Early Bird rate. Please note that race registration is unavailable from June 28 through July 3, but day-of-race registration is accepted for $45 per person. However, the race bag with a collectible “Racin’ with my Gnomies”  t-shirt and participation medal is only available while supplies last. Race day registration and check-in is from 7:00 – 7:30 am. Cash is the preferred method for race day on-site registration. Participants are encouraged to come dressed in patriotic colors to add to the festive atmosphere!

After the race, the public is invited to claim their favorite spot and enjoy a day filled with a variety of family-friendly activities in the park. There will be on-site entertainment such as an animal show inside the Hopkins Park Shelter from 2:00-3:00 pm, free games, relay races, and strolling entertainers from 2:00-6:00 pm, food vendors from 2:00-8:00 pm, Feel Good Party Bandy (Live Band) at the Bandshell from 3:30-5:30 pm, and the DeKalb Municipal Band Concert (Live Music) at the Bandshell from 7:30-9:00 pm. A select supply of glowsticks will be available for purchase (cash only), one for $5 or two for $8. The fireworks, a highlight of the festivities, start approximately 30 minutes after sunset and last 25 minutes long. We want to express our gratitude to our Fourth of July Celebration Sponsor, Rock Valley Credit Union, for their support.

To ensure the safety of all attendees, dogs are prohibited in Hopkins Park on July 4 after 12:00 pm.

If you are a regional business looking to give back to the DeKalb community, we are still actively seeking sponsors to help make this event even more memorable. Interested businesses or organizations are encouraged to contact Marketing Manager Katie Drum at kdrum@dekalbparkdistrict.com for sponsorship opportunities.

For more information about the Independence Day Run/Walk or the Fourth of July Celebration and Fireworks Show, please visit dekalbparkdistrict.com or call (815) 758-6663.