
Tinley Park, Park District pair up after spat on Fourth of July fireworks
After a two-year separation that saw Tinley Park hold its own July 4 fireworks shows, the village and Park District are collaborating this year on an Independence Day event.
It will be held at the Park District's McCarthy Park, which had long been the site of the Park District's Fourth of July event and fireworks show until 2023.
The last two years, Tinley Park had its own show at the 80th Avenue Metra commuter train station.
There has been friction between the village and Park District over control of the former Tinley Park Mental Health Center, which the Park District bought from the state last year for $1 and has plans to redevelop for recreational uses.
The village had also sought to acquire the 280-acre property, northwest of Harlem Avenue and 183rd Street, with plans to develop it for property and sale tax generating entertainment uses.
The Village Board at a recent meeting approved a contract worth $50,000 for the upcoming fireworks show.
The joint Independence Day event will take place from 4 to 10 p.m. on July 4 at McCarthy Park,16801 S. 80th Ave.
The village said music by Five Guys Named Moe will start the day at 4 p.m. and food and beverages will be for sale from local vendors.
Bingo, inflatables for kids, a magic show, gun salute and flag-raising ceremony as well as a 7 p.m. concert by Spoken Four, are part of the day's activities.
The fireworks show set to patriotic music is set for 9:30 p.m.
'We're excited to be collaborating with the Park District to bring Tinley Park's iconic fireworks show back to McCarthy Park,' Tinley Park Mayor Michael Glotz said in a news release.
'We are thrilled to restore our annual fireworks show at McCarthy Park this July 4th,' Park Board President Lisa O'Donovan said in the release. 'This celebration has been a highlight of the summer in Tinley Park for over 40 years.'
Tinley Park police Chief Tom Tilton said his officers are preparing for the event.
'We're utilizing new technologies and new techniques to provide a safe Fourth of July experience for everyone,' Tilton said in the news release. 'Residents can rest easy knowing we're taking every precaution.'
In early 2023, Tinley Park opted to hold its own fireworks show, prompting the Park District to cancel the Independence Day event it had held at McCarthy Park.
The village again, last year, held its own fireworks show at the 80th Avenue Metra station in conjunction with Ribfest.
In 2023, Park Board members said the district was being retaliated against for its interest in the former mental health center.
The Illinois General Assembly had cleared, and Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed, legislation that year clearing the path for the Park District to acquire the site.
The state also earmarked $15 million for the Park District to use to clean up environmental problems and demolish buildings on the property.
The Park District said in early 2023 it was denied a permit to hold its annual Running O' the Green 8k race March 5 of that year, the same day as the village's Irish Parade. The district said it had for many years held the race on the same day as the village parade but the race that year was rescheduled.
The Park District also said it had to find other sources of fuel for district vehicles and de-icing salt for Park District properties after Tinley Park cut off long-standing supply agreements for both products.
Park Board members, in a letter early in 2023 to village officials, said 'it is simply not feasible to work with you on any event when the village is engaged in this kind of behavior.'
The district, in its letter, said the obstacles that had been thrown up were 'retaliation and punishment' for the district.
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Chicago Tribune
8 hours ago
- Chicago Tribune
Fireworks 2025: All the Fourth of July shows in the Chicago area
With the Independence Day holiday comes fireworks — read on to find the best displays near you. Downtown Chicago fireworks at Navy Pier are every Wednesday at 9 p.m. and Saturday at 10 p.m. through Aug. 30, including at 10 p.m. Saturday, July 5; more at Almost a hundred Chicago-area communities are listed below, many with celebrations spread out over the Independence Day weekend (July 4 falls on a Friday this year). If no time is mentioned, most displays begin at dusk (about 9:15 p.m.) and last about half an hour. Antioch: Parade at 10:30 a.m. July 4, followed by festivities at 4 p.m. and fireworks at a new site at Sequoit Creek Park (845 Main St.); Arlington Heights: The local Frontier Days Festival at Recreation Park (500 E. Miner St.) is back, running July 2-6. The parade is 10 a.m. July 4; more at But no community fireworks display for 2025. Aurora: The city of Aurora will host an Independence Day fireworks display on July 3, best viewed from Aurora Transportation Center (233 N. Broadway Ave.) with music from DJ Suave Smooth; and McCullough Park (150 W. Illinois Ave.) with music from DJ Pena. Parade in downtown Aurora (from Benton and Broadway) at 10 a.m. July 4; Barrington: Main Street parade at 10 a.m. July 4, then fireworks at 9:30 p.m. at Barrington High School (616 W. Main St.); Bartlett: The town's Fourth of July Festival returns to Community Park (corner of South Bartlett and Stearns Roads). Skydivers at 7:35 p.m. July 4, then fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Festivities continue through the weekend, including a parade at 10 a.m. July 5; Batavia: The Batavia Sky Concert will be 9:30 p.m. July 4 in Engstrom Family Park (326 Millview Drive), with fireworks set to music; Beecher: The Fourth of July Commission for the town of Beecher will host the 4th of July Festival from July 2-5. Look for fireworks at 9:30 p.m. July 4 at Firemen's Park (675 Penfield St.); Bensenville: The Independence Day Parade kicks off the celebration at 10 a.m. on July 4, starting at Town Center (12 S. Center St.) and ending at the Redmond Recreational Complex (545 John St.). LibertyFest begins at 6 p.m. Fireworks will be launched from the Public Works facility at 9:30 p.m.; Berwyn: Gates open for fireworks at 8 p.m. July 3 at Morton West High School (2400 Home Ave.); Blue Island: The Fourth of July Parade will run from Prairie Street on Western Avenue, beginning at noon July 4. Fireworks have not yet been announced; Bolingbrook: Grounds open at 3 p.m. July 4 for music and food vendors at Bolingbrook Golf Club (2001 Rodéo Drive), with fireworks at sunset; Bridgeview: The annual fireworks at Commissioners Park (8100 S. Beloit Ave.) have not yet been posted; more information at Brookfield: The Brookfield Fourth of July Parade has a new route for 2025, starting at Garfield Avenue and heading south on Grand Boulevard. Fireworks have not yet been announced; Buffalo Grove: The annual celebration at Willow Stream Park (651 Old Checker Road) begins with a patriotic-themed concert at 7 p.m. July 4 with the fireworks display at 9 p.m.; Burbank: Party in the Park with a carnival, music and food will be June 26-29 in Narragansett Park (77th St. and Narragansett), with Saturday night fireworks at 9:45 p.m. June 28; Burr Ridge: The Pleasant Dale Park District's fireworks will be at dusk July 3 in Walker Park (7425 S. Wolf Road). Food vendors and family fun begin at 5:30 p.m.; Crystal Lake: Fireworks at dusk July 6 at Main Beach (300 Lakeshore Drive). The parade will kick off at 1 p.m. at City Hall, finishing at Lakeside Festival Grounds; Deerfield: The Deerfield Family Days is back in Shepard Park (440 Grove Place) with live bands, carnival games and food vendors from 5:30 p.m. July 3 and fireworks at dusk. Then a parade at noon July 4 begins at Deerspring Pool (200 Deerfield Road); DeKalb: The celebrations are in Hopkins Park (1403 Sycamore Road), with music and festivities starting at 4 p.m. July 4. Fireworks at dusk; Des Plaines: The community plans a fireworks display June 29 at Oakton College (1600 Golf Road), with gates opening at 7 p.m. and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Then a parade at 10 a.m. July 4 from the intersection of Center Street and Wicke Avenue; Downers Grove: The Village of Downers Grove Independence Day Parade is 1 p.m. July 4, from Main Street and Grant. The joint Woodridge-Downers Grove fireworks display is 9:30 p.m. July 4 (corner of 75th Street and Lemont Road); Elburn: The Lions Club of Elburn will present a fireworks show on July 12 at Lions Park (500 Filmore St.). Food and nonalcoholic concessions will be sold; Elgin: The parade kicks off at 9 a.m. July 4 at the intersection of Douglas and Slade. Later, there will be food, a pie-eating contest and concerts in Festival Park (132 S. Grove Ave.) and the night will end with a fireworks display on the Fox River; Elk Grove Village: The village's celebration begins with a concert with Cheap Trick music at 8 p.m. July 4 on Rotary Green (164 Lions Drive) and fireworks at 9:30 p.m., sponsored by the Lions Club; Elmwood Park: The village's Fourth of July parade will start at 9 a.m. July 4 at 78th and Fullerton Avenues, ending in the Circle. Gates open for the holiday celebration at Elmwood Park High School (8201 W. Fullerton Ave.) at 6 p.m., Sucker Punch plays at 7:15 p.m. with fireworks at 9:30 p.m.; Evergreen Park: The 55th annual community parade and fireworks will be on June 27, with the parade at 6:30 p.m. from 95th and Springfield, followed by fireworks at dusk at Martin B. Duffy Park (92nd and Ridgeway); Evanston: Parade at 2 p.m. July 4 on Central Street, a live band in Dawes Park at 7:30 p.m. and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. at the lakefront; Fox Lake: Celebrate Fox Lake has a parade that starts at Grant Community High School at 10 a.m. June 28, then an event 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Lakefront Park (10 Riverview Ave.) with fireworks at dusk; Fox River Grove: The town's annual fireworks event opens 6 p.m. July 12 at Picnic Grove Park with music and food before the show; Frankfort: The celebration begins at 7 p.m. July 4 at Main Park (200 S. Locust St.) with music and fireworks at 9:15 p.m.; Glencoe: Party in the Park at Lakefront Park (99 Park Ave.) begins 5 p.m. July 3, with live music, food trucks and fireworks over the lake from 9 p.m. The Independence Day Parade steps off at 1 p.m. July 4 in downtown Glencoe; Glen Ellyn: The Fourth of July Parade begins at noon at Memorial Park, with fireworks at dusk at Lake Ellyn Park (645 Lenox Road); Glendale Heights: The annual Glendale Heights Fest is back July 10-13, with a carnival and live music, plus fireworks at 9:30 p.m. July 13 in Camera Park (101 E. Fullerton Ave.); Glenview: Northwest suburban Glenview has a parade at 11:20 a.m. July 4 and fireworks show at 9:20 p.m. in Gallery Park (2001 Patriot Blvd.) with music beginning at 6 p.m. and the Glenview Concert Band at 7 p.m.; Gurnee: Fireworks are 9:45 p.m. nightly July 3-5 inside Six Flags Great America (with regular park admission); Also village fireworks for Gurnee Days on Aug. 9; Harvey: The city's celebrations begin at 2 p.m. July 4, with a parade, a carnival and fireworks at 8:30 p.m.; Hawthorn Woods: Fireworks are planned for 9:15 p.m. July 3 at Community Park (5 Park View Lane), with the park opening at 3 p.m. for live music and food vendors; Highland Park: The village plans Independence Day events beginning on July 3 with a festival at the Preserve of Highland Park (1207 Park Ave. W). After a remembrance ceremony at 9 a.m. July 4, the downtown parade returns at 11 a.m., beginning at First Street and Laurel Avenue. No city fireworks or drone show for 2025; Hoffman Estates: The Northwest Fourth-Fest runs July 2-6, including a carnival, live music, a parade along Illinois Boulevard at 9 a.m. July 4, a drone show at 9:30 p.m. July 4 at Village Green, and fireworks 9:30 p.m. July 5 at NOW Arena (5333 Prairie Stone Parkway); Huntley: After a Main Street parade at 4 p.m., the Independence Day fireworks show begins at about 9:30 p.m. July 4 in Deicke Park (11419 IL-47); Itasca: The Village of Itasca has announced that Fourth of July fireworks have been canceled for 2025 due to construction around Hamilton Lakes; Joliet: Joliet Slammers baseball games include fireworks the nights of June 20 and July 4 at Joliet Slammers Stadium (1 Mayor Art Schultz Drive); La Grange: Fireworks from La Grange Country Club will be 9:30 p.m. July 3. The usual viewing space for nonmembers in Waiola Park (corner of 47th Street and Waiola) is closed for construction through October; Lake Forest: The 18th Annual Lake Forest Festival and Fireworks will be July 4 at Deerpath Community Park (400 Hastings Road), set to music. Gate opens for a concert at 5 p.m., fireworks at dusk; Lake Zurich: The annual Independence/Family Day at Paulus Park (200 S. Rand Road) begins 10 a.m. July 4 with music and food vendors. Then fireworks are launched over the lake at about 9:15 p.m.; Lemont: For Freedom Days 2025, a July 3 celebration at Centennial Park (16028 W. 127th St.) opens at 4 p.m., with live bands at 6 p.m. and fireworks at 9:30 p.m.; program guide at Libertyville: The fireworks event at Butler Lake Park (835 W. Winchester Road) begins with a concert by the Village Band at 7:30 p.m. July 4 at the Band Shell, followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m.; Lincolnshire: The annual Red, White and BOOM! festival will be July 3-4, with food and entertainment July 3 in North Park (1025 Riverwoods Road), followed by a 10 a.m. parade, 2 p.m. cardboard boat regatta and 9:30 p.m. fireworks on July 4 in Spring Lake Park (49 Oxford Drive); Lisle: The village will have July 3 fireworks at Community Park (1800 Short St.) at 9:30 p.m. Also, live music begins at 5:30 p.m. on the Van Kampen Stage. On July 4, a parade kicks off at 10 a.m. from Lisle Junior High School (5207 Center Ave.); Lockport: City of Lockport and Lockport Township Park District are hosting the annual fireworks show on July 3 at dusk in Dellwood Park (corner of Woods Drive and Highway 171); Lombard: The village plans to host fireworks at dusk on July 4 at Madison Meadow Park (East Madison Street and South Ahrens Avenue); McHenry: The city's fireworks will be 9:30 p.m. July 13 as part of Fiesta Days at Petersen Park (4300 Petersen Park Road). Fiesta Days will be July 10-20 with carnival rides, live music, an art fair and a July 20 parade; Mokena: The village's annual fireworks will be at 9:30 p.m. July 3, with music starting at 5 p.m. in Main Park (10925 W. La Porte Road); Morton Grove: The Morton Grove Days festival July 3-6 has fireworks July 4 at dark at Harrer Park (6140 Dempster St.). Plus a parade at 2:30 p.m., as well as live music and a carnival all weekend; Mount Prospect: The 86th annual Mount Prospect Lions Club Festival will be July 2-6 at Melas Park (1500 W. Central Road) with a carnival, music and fireworks on July 2 (short show) and July 4 at 9:30 p.m.; Mundelein: The Mundelein Community Days 2025 will be June 29 to July 6, mostly near Seymour Avenue and Crystal Street. Fireworks are 9:30 p.m. July 4, with a parade from Mundelein High School (1350 W. Hawley St.) at 1 p.m. July 6; Naperville: The Naperville Salute will not be held this summer, but community fireworks will be 9:30 p.m. July 4 at Frontier Sports Complex (3380 Cedar Glade Drive); New Lenox: Fireworks at 9:15 p.m. July 4 at New Lenox Village Commons (101 Veterans Parkway), with music by Billy Gray Music at 6 p.m., followed by music by the Joliet American Legion Band for the display; North Riverside: The Fourth of July Parade will start at 10 a.m. July 4 on 9th Avenue and 26th Street. Then music and food vendors, including a concert by Hello Weekend, starting at 7 p.m. at Village Commons (2401 S. DesPlaines Ave.), followed by fireworks provided by the Riverside Golf Club; Northbrook: Fireworks at dusk July 4, which can be seen from Techny Prairie Park and Fields (1750 Techny Road) and Meadowhill Park (1479 Maple Ave.). Plus other events all day, including a parade at 4 p.m. from Westmoor School (2500 Cherry Lane); Oak Brook: The annual Taste of Oak Brook returns at 4 p.m. July 3 at the Village Sports Core Fields (700 Oak Brook Road). Fireworks and drone show at dusk; Oak Lawn: Fireworks at dusk (at 9 p.m.) July 4 at Richards High School (10601 Central Ave.). Come back between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. July 5 to help with cleanup; Oak Park: The Village of Oak Park plans a parade at 10 a.m. July 4 from Longfellow Park (Ridgeland Avenue and Adams Street), but no fireworks this year; Orland Park: Independence Celebration begins on July 4 with a pet and kids bike parade at 5 p.m., then a concert at 5:30 p.m., followed by Presentation of Colors and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. in Centennial Park West (15609 Park Station Blvd.); Oswego: Fireworks will be at dusk July 4 at Prairie Point Park (4120 Plainfield Road); Ottawa: A fireworks event begins at 8:45 p.m. July 4 on the Fox and Illinois Rivers at Ottawa Township High School (201 E. Main St.); Palatine: The Palatine Jaycees Hometown Fest runs July 2-6 in Community Park (256 E. Palatine Road). Fireworks at dusk July 3 and a parade beginning on Wood Street at 11 a.m. July 5; Palos Heights: Inflatables and games from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 3 in Community Park (south of Route 83 on 76th Avenue). At 5 p.m., food and music start in Memorial Park (7600 W. College Drive), followed by fireworks at 9:15 p.m. A parade kicks off at noon July 4 on Harlem Avenue; Park Forest: A concert featuring Carla Prather at the Village Green (349 Main St.) followed by fireworks at 9:15 p.m. on July 4; Park Ridge: Live music at 8 p.m. and fireworks at dusk July 3 at Maine East High School (2601 Dempster St.); Pingree Grove: The community's Independence Day Celebration will be July 11-12. A parade starts at 4 p.m. July 12 at Alta Vista Drive and Wester Boulevard, and Mad Bomber fireworks are planned at 9:30 p.m. at Cambridge Lakes (1125 Wester Blvd.); Rochelle: After a Municipal Band concert, the fireworks will be at dusk July 5 in Atwood Park (10th Avenue and 20th Street); Romeoville: Three simultaneous fireworks shows at 9:30 p.m. July 3 at Lukancic Middle School (725 Normantown Road), Volunteer Park (1100 Murphy Drive) and Discovery Park (300 S. Highpoint Drive); Rosemont: The west suburban Parkway Bank Park (5501 Park Place) hosts an annual 'Rockin' In The Park' free concert series. A concert featuring a Bob Seger cover band at 7 p.m. July 4 will have post-show fireworks; Round Lake: Fireworks will be 9:15 p.m. July 5 near the Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center (2007 Civic Center Way), with bands and festivities for Beachfest beginning at 5 p.m.; Sandwich: The annual Sandwich Freedom Days is back with a 10 a.m. July 5 parade, then fireworks at dusk at Sandwich Fairgrounds (1401 Suydam Road); Schaumburg: The popular way to see fireworks in Schaumburg is to catch a Schaumburg Boomers baseball game at Wintrust Field (1999 S. Springinsguth Road). There will be fireworks after select home games, including July 3-5; Skokie: The town hosts a downtown parade at noon July 4. It's followed by a family festival at 6:30 p.m. at Niles West High School (5701 W. Oakton St.), with fireworks at 9:30 p.m.; Sleepy Hollow: A daylong holiday celebration July 4 includes a parade at 11:30 a.m. in Sabatino Park (Winmoor Drive and Thorobred Lane). Then the fireworks are 9:30 p.m. July 6, with gates open at 7 p.m.; South Holland: A Family Fun Festival runs noon to 4 p.m. July 4 at Veterans Memorial Park (500 E. 160th Place), followed by fireworks at dusk; Spring Grove: The July 4 celebration will include a noon parade at Winn Road and Highview Street and fireworks at dusk, best viewed from Thelen Park (8516 Winn Road); St. Charles: The St. Charles Park District is planning fireworks at dusk on July 4, launching from Langum Park. Best viewing will be on the south side of downtown St. Charles, plus parts of Langum Park (50 Devereaux Way) and Mt. St. Mary Park along Geneva Road (look for a red balloon during the afternoon to check your view); Tinley Park: Festivities in McCarthy Park (16801 S. 80th Ave.) kick off with live music by Five Guys Named Moe at 4 p.m. July 4, with fireworks at 9:30 p.m.; Vernon Hills: The parade will start at 9 a.m. July 4 at the corner of Deerpath and Atrium Drive. Music begins in Century Park (1002 Lakeview Parkway) at 7 p.m., followed by fireworks around 9:15 p.m; Wauconda: The Big Bang fireworks celebration is dusk July 3 at Bangs Lake; Waukegan: Music for ROCK in the U.S.A. begins at 6 p.m. July 4 at Green Town on the Rocks (175 N. Harbor Place). Fireworks will be 9:30 p.m. at the Waukegan lakefront; Warrenville: Organized by the Warrenville Friends of the 4th, the celebration kicks off with festivities in Cerny Park (4S150 River Road) at 5 p.m. and a parade at 6 p.m. July 3. Then fireworks at 9:15 p.m. July 4; Westmont: The Independence Day Celebration will begin at 4 p.m. July 4 at Ty Warner Park (800 Blackhawk Drive), with fireworks at 9:30 p.m., launched from the Willow Crest Golf Club north of the park. Also, food trucks and music; Wheaton: Independence Day will be celebrated with a carnival from 5:30 p.m. and fireworks and drone show around 9 p.m. July 3 in Graf Park (1855 Manchester Road), plus a downtown parade at 10 a.m. July 4; Wheeling: The village's Rock 'n' Run the Runway event is June 28, with bands from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and fireworks at 9:15 p.m., all at Chicago Executive Airport (1080 S. Milwaukee Ave.); program at Wilmette: Fun & Fireworks is planned for July 3; festivities and music begin at 5 p.m. and fireworks at dusk at Gillson Park, on the lakefront north of the harbor; Winnetka: The Fourth of July parade starts at 10 a.m. July 4 at the corner of Elm Street and Glendale. Concert and the Jesse White Tumblers begin at 7 p.m. at Duke Child's Field (1321 Willow Road) before fireworks at 9:20 p.m.; Woodridge: The annual 4th of July Picnic is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Castaldo Park (3024 71st St.) Later, the joint Woodridge-Downers Grove fireworks display is 9:30 p.m. July 4 (corner of 75th Street and Lemont Road); Woodstock: Fireworks begin at dusk on July 4 in Emricson Park (900 South St.). The park opens 7 p.m.; Yorkville: The town is planning a July 4 celebration with a parade starting at 9 a.m. at Yorkville High School and ending at Town Square Park. Fireworks begin at dusk near the corner of Route 47 and Countryside Parkway; Email us to add a show to this list.


Business Wire
a day ago
- Business Wire
Bloom Energy and Tarana Wireless Stars & Strides Run and Walk
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Independence Day holiday kicks off early with the 5th Annual Bloom Energy and Tarana Wireless Stars and Strides Run, a 5K–10K run/walk and Kids Fun Run that benefits Valley Health Foundation. The event takes place in Discovery Meadow in Downtown San Jose. For media assets—including a powerful video chronicling former patient Bastian Michel's remarkable recovery after a life-threatening accident, and images from previous Stars and Strides events—please click here. WHAT: Opening Ceremony (7:30 AM) – Features opening remarks from local elected officials, a costume contest, and a performance of the national anthem by 16-year-old Siena Alexandra Guardino to kick off the festivities. 5K-10K Run/Walk (8:00 AM, sponsored by First Citizens Bank and Amazon) – Santa Clara County Sheriff Bob Jonsen and Sheriff's Office recruits will lead the official start of the race on a flat, fast, and fun course for people of all ages and fitness levels and abilities. Double Helicopter Arrival (9:35 AM, sponsored by HP Inc.) – The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office and Calstar helicopters land in the festival area with superheroes and special guests onboard, kicking off the Kids Fun Run with a grand entrance. Special Guest & Healthcare Heroes Ceremony: Following the helicopter landing, we will honor special guests Bastian Michel (former SCVMC patient) and Susan Benton, RN (Assistant Nurse Manager, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center), recognizing all Healthcare Heroes who make a difference in our community, as they kick off the Kids Fun Run. Kids Fun Run at Discovery Meadow Park (10:00 AM, sponsored by Sanmina Corporation) – A ¼-mile course for children between the ages of two and seven, with parents welcome to join with their children. Live music from Idol Hands, (comprised of talented Santa Clara Valley Medical Center/Valley Health Foundation personnel), a beer/mimosa bar courtesy of Hapa's Brewing Company and Joseph George Fine Wines (a free drink for participants 21+), lawn games, food trucks, face painting, bubbles, pictures with superheroes, and more. Join the Contests: Race participants can take part in the following: Alaska Airlines Costume Contest: 2 free roundtrip airline tickets awarded to the "Best Independence Day Theme," 2 free roundtrip airline tickets for the "Best Non-Independence Day Theme" and gift baskets for the best 'Group Costume Contest.' Luxury Tropical Getaway: Team members from the top three largest teams will be entered into a drawing to win a 5 day luxury tropical getaway. For more details, click here. WHEN: Saturday, June 28th. The 5K-10K Run/Walk starts at 8:00 AM, and the Kids Fun Run starts at 10 AM. The Sheriff's helicopter will land at approximately 9:30AM with our special guest introduction at 9:50 AM. WHERE: Discovery Meadow in Downtown San Jose, adjacent to the Children's Discovery Museum. WHY: Proceeds from this year's race will benefit Valley Health Foundation, a nonprofit leader in community health and healthcare that fundraises to support, innovate, and advocate better health for residents in Santa Clara County. In the first four years of the Stars & Strides run, nearly $1.2 million has been raised and donated to the Valley Health Foundation, which supports our four public hospitals and 14 Speciality and Primary Care Health Centers, which collectively serve more than 1 million of our neighbors each year.


Black America Web
a day ago
- Black America Web
10 Powerful Speeches on Juneteenth and the Fight for Racial Justice
Source: Scott Olson / Getty Juneteenth isn't just a celebration—it calls us to remember, reflect, and rise. These 10 powerful speeches, past and present, still speak loudly about freedom, justice, and equality. Juneteenth marks the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that the last enslaved people were free. This news came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Freedom finally reached those who had lived in bondage and darkness. People named that day Juneteenth. Juneteenth means more than a date—it symbolizes delayed justice and enduring hope. For generations, Black communities have honored Juneteenth with parades, music, and speeches. Leaders, artists, and activists capture the emotion, struggle, and pride of a people who refuse to be erased. They use their voices every year to keep the spirit of Juneteenth alive. Historic giants gave some of these speeches. Frederick Douglass exposed American hypocrisy in his Fourth of July address. Malcolm X challenged systemic injustice with 'The Ballot or the Bullet.' Maya Angelou shared poetry revealing the pain and beauty of Black identity. Modern icons gave others. President Obama reflected on Juneteenth's meaning during a year of protest. Opal Lee, the 'Grandmother of Juneteenth,' fought tirelessly to make it a national holiday. Beyoncé and Amanda Gorman bring art and activism to new generations. These voices demand to be heard—now more than ever. People echo their messages in classrooms, rallies, and social feeds. Juneteenth reminds us that we must know, feel, and protect freedom. Some speeches directly address Juneteenth. Others focus on racial justice and equality more broadly. Together, they help us understand the ongoing fight for Black liberation and the true meaning of Juneteenth beyond the holiday. 10 Powerful Speeches on Juneteenth and the Fight for Racial Justice was originally published on A timeless oration on American hypocrisy and Black freedom. Obama discusses Juneteenth's meaning in a timely ABC News segment. Opal Lee reflects on the history and importance of Juneteenth in this insightful video. Cornel West passionately connects Juneteenth to the ongoing struggle for racial justice and collective healing. A moving performance of Dunbar's poem, echoing enduring Black resilience. Vice President Harris emphasizes Juneteenth as a pivotal moment in America's journey toward equality and justice. Congressman John Lewis, a stalwart of the civil rights movement, delivered this impassioned speech at the 1963 March on Washington. At just 23 years old, Lewis called for immediate action and justice, emphasizing that the time for patience had passed. His words continue to inspire generations to engage in 'good trouble' for the cause of equality. In this TED Talk, Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, delves into the deep-seated issues within the American justice system. He discusses the legacy of racial injustice and the importance of confronting uncomfortable truths to foster change. Renowned activist and scholar Angela Davis explores the intersection of race, capitalism, and justice in this compelling speech. She argues that true racial equality cannot be achieved without addressing the economic systems that perpetuate inequality. In this powerful testimony before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, author Ta-Nehisi Coates presents a compelling argument for reparations, highlighting the enduring impact of slavery and systemic racism on Black Americans. Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE