Champaign parade canceled, weather impacting July 4th events in Central Illinois

CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — As inclement weather threatens to soil stars, stripes, and sparklers in Central Illinois, some July 4th events and fireworks displays are being cancelled or postponed.

Champaign County Freedom Celebration officials have confirmed that they have canceled the parade. After watching the weather, the committee met at 9:30 a.m. and decided to cancel the parade. Parade officials explained to WCIA that it is not just the weather that is a factor. Law enforcement was only scheduled for parade security until noon; which meant a delay in the parade was not possible as they would not have the security needed to maintain safety for the event.

Champaign officials said they would not be rescheduling the parade. However, they did confirm that fireworks display and activities will go on as scheduled, starting at 9:15 p.m. tonight.

Meanwhile, the Village of Rantoul has announced they have postponed their parade and rescheduled it to Saturday, July 6 at 9:30 a.m.

The Village of Sibley is delaying their parade until 1 p.m. on July 4th, with line-up at 12:30 p.m. Registration will take place at noon at the yellow township building.

Mattoon has also announced that their 4th of July parade has been canceled due to the weather. They added that the parade would not be held on another date. Their fireworks display will go on as planned though, with gates opening at 5pm at Coles County Memorial Airport.

The city of Tuscola also announced that VFW had to cancel today’s 4th of July parade due to the weather. They plan to continue with their other Sparks in the Park events as planned on July 5th and 6th.

Jacksonville festivities, including the Nichols Park fireworks and Morgan County VFW Post 1379’s Independence Day Celebration, are being pushed back.

The Nichols Park fireworks were originally set for July 4th, but will now be set off on Friday, July 5 at sundown. As for the VFW’s day-long celebration, it is now moved from the 4th to Saturday, July 6. The party begins at 3 p.m. with fireworks at dusk.

Meanwhile in McLean County, LeRoy’s 4th of July parade has been delayed until 10:30 a.m. at the earliest, police shared on Facebook .

The Village of Bellflower moved their annual 4th of July celebration to Saturday, July 6. This includes the 5K Fun Run/Walk at 7 a.m. Their fireworks show will also begin at dusk.

Other events and fireworks shows are due to continue as originally planned. Should any more changes be made, we will continue to provide updates. For a full list of when and where fireworks are going off across Central Illinois, see WCIA’s list here .

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