Community Corner
Get Your Southland Fireworks Fix
Find out where Fourth of July firework displays will be held in the Southland area this summer.
It's almost that time of the year to pull out a lawn chair and listen to friends and family react while watching fireworks light up the sky on a summer night.
Here's a list of upcoming firework displays in the Southland. You can also find them on the map above by clicking on the flag icons.
- Oak Forest - July 28 and July 4, Oak Fest: 159th St & Central Ave - Dusk
- Chicago Heights, July 3 - - Dusk
- Evergreen Park, July 3 - - Dusk
- Palos Heights, July 3 - - 9:15 p.m.
- Frankfort, July 4 - - Dusk
- Mokena, July 4 - - Dusk
- Oak Lawn, July 4 - - Dusk
- , July 4 - - 9:15 p.m.
- Orland Park, July 4 - - 9:15 p.m.
- New Lenox, July 4 - - 9:30 p.m.
Homewood-Flossmoor does not have a fireworks display within the next month. Where are you planning to watch fireworks this summer? Did we miss one? Tell us in the comment box below!
Find out what's happening in Tinley Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Behind the Scenes: A 20-minute fireworks show can take 12 hours to set up. .
Fireworks Are Illegal in Illinois
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.
Find out what's happening in Tinley Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Local penalties may vary, so contact your local police if you're curious. Or just don't set off fireworks.
Fourth of July Safety Tips
Silver Cross Hospital offered a bunch of , including some powerful numbers about firework-related injuries and drunken driving.
There are about 8,500 firework-related injuries each year in the U.S., 2,000 of which are eye injuries. And although sparklers are legal here, they account for three-quarters of all firework injuries in preschoolers.
“It's really a lot safer to go to a professional show at one of the many area park districts,” said Daniel Checco, Medical Director for the Silver Cross Free-Standing Emergency Care Center in Homer Glen. “By letting trained experts light the fireworks, all you have to do is sit there and enjoy the show.”
Capturing fireworks on camera is a challenge that can be mastered easily with the right equipment and settings on your camera. Here is a short tutorial to help you capture the rockets' red glare this Fourth of July.
Equipment needed:
- Camera: Either point-and-shoot or an SLR.
- Tripod: To keep the camera steady and prevent motion blur.
- Flashlight: To see the camera settings in the dark.
- Wireless Trigger: Not necessary but it helps to prevent camera shake.
