Champaign County towns finishing up parade, event planning for July 4th

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Several Fourth of July parades are kicking off star-spangled celebrations in Champaign County.

Wednesday evening’s “Happy Birthday USA” Parade in St. Joseph is set to give the community a head-start on their patriotic festivities.

The parade will step off from St. Joseph Middle School at 6:30 p.m., and will end at 8 p.m. at the St. Joseph Sports Complex. The parade is hosted by the St. Joseph Pack Troop and Crew 40. They said this year’s parade is dedicated to Bruce Voges.

“He and his family are the reason we started having July 4th parades in St Joseph. His grandchildren asked him what he wanted for his birthday and he said, ‘I always like a good parade,'” Troop 40 wrote on the parade’s event page .

They said Voges’ family organized the first July 4th parade in 2020 and asked Troop 40 to lead. It has only grown ever since.

Monetary donations will be collected before, during, and after the parade to go towards the local food bank and Friends of Scouting. Troop 40 will also be collecting American flags that need to be retired.

Meanwhile, organizers in Champaign are beginning to set up the Champaign County Freedom Celebration . This year, they’re planning on making it a bigger and better event than ever before.

Organizers said this year, there will be fun houses and a kid’s race starting in the morning. After that, the annual 5K race will start just before the parade, beginning at 11 a.m.

This year’s festival will be more inclusive, offering a sensory-friendly event. Organizer Gus White said he got the idea from other Fourth of July events in the area.

“When I first came 13 years ago, I’ve always said I always want to make this event bigger and better,” he said. “I finally got the board to let me start doing things. So, we will always be open to new ideas.”

White said a little rain won’t affect the day’s events, but if the weather doesn’t hold up, they will make an official announcement.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.