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We won't be standing on Cass Street bridge this year

Joliet park cancels annual July 3 independence celebration

"For the safety of our guests, the July 3 Independence Celebration at Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park will be cancelled this year. While it is disappointing, the health and safety of our guests and staff is our top priority. "Although we are unable to display fireworks in the company of our friends this year, we will honor our country’s independence with our families. We look forward to a better 2021 and fireworks display next year! God Bless America!" (Denise M)

By DENISE M

"For the safety of our guests, the July 3 Independence Celebration at Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park will be cancelled this year. While it is disappointing, the health and safety of our guests and staff is our top priority. "Although we are unable to display fireworks in the company of our friends this year, we will honor our country’s independence with our families. We look forward to a better 2021 and fireworks display next year! God Bless America!" (Denise M)

Although our family has wondered if fireworks might continue this year, we did anticipate cancellations. We agree safety must come first but it's disappointing, too. Standing on Cass Street bridge and watching the fireworks over the water as they shoot up from the park on July 3 has become a treasured family tradition. However, the first time, we saw the show from a spot overlooking park. (Denise M)

It was the late 1998 and I was a new single mom of six children. My next door neighbor, who has since died from lung cancer, was also a single mom of two children. We decided to walk with the kids from our homes in Marycrest subdivision all the way down Jefferson Street to the home of another friend, who then joined us with her kids for the rest of the walk. We arrived early, before dark, and of course we had to walk the rest of the way back. I was working several different jobs at the time and was so tired I can scarcely find the right words to describe the fatigue. But as I sat there surrounded with the kids and watching the lights in the sky, I felt rested and I felt hope that life would, somehow, work out. And it did. (Denise M)

Now watching the fireworks on July 4 from a neighborhood near the Joliet Memorial Stadium (pictured above in 2019) is also part of our family's tradition - and as the family grows, the group of us who attend grows a little bigger each year. The show is breathtakingly spectacular and we like the music that's synced to it, too. (Denise M)

However, it's the Bicentennial Park's fireworks show, a show that gets more spectacular every year, that really kicks off the holiday for us. (Denise M)

We stand there on that bridge watching, snapping pictures and videos, marveling that another year has passed so quickly, and thankful for freedom and all the personal challenges overcome in that last 12 months that allows us to stand together in the same spot once again. For a video of last year's finale, visit theherald-news.com/video. Denise M. Baran-Unland is the features editor at The Herald-News. Contact her at 815-280-41222 or dunland@shawmedia.com (Denise M)

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