Wheaton's 'Star-Spangled Summer' features Field of Honor, Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks

Flags, fireworks and marching bands will mark this year's Independence Day celebrations in Wheaton.

For five days, flags will unfurl and fly in honor of our country's heroes in Seven Gables Park, 1750 S. Naperville Road.

The 2023 Field of Honor display will include up to 2,000 flags, displayed in formation, from Friday, June 30 through Tuesday, July 4.

Wheaton's Field of Honor is an annual tradition in tribute to service people, hometown heroes and first responders hosted by the Wheaton Park District and the Wheaton United Soccer Club and chaired this year by Rudy Keller.

Donations benefit Warrenville American Legion Post 589.

"Hundreds of volunteers from the community donate their time to make this a spectacular patriotic event," Keller said. "Each evening there will be patriotic performances to include vocalists, bagpipers, drummers, honor guards, flyovers, and taps."

Donors may purchase a flag for $35 and dedicate it to a specific honoree.

"After the event, the flag is yours. You pick up your flag on July 4 and bring it home for your yard," Keller said.

Event sponsors may purchase 10 American flags with the sponsor's name and business on the website and on a banner at the event for a $500 sponsor fee.

Flags measure 3 by 5 feet mounted on an eight-foot flagpole and labeled with a flag tag.

For more information about flag purchases, please visit healingfield.org/wheatonil23.

For information about volunteering for the event, contact Keller at Rudy_Keller@comcast.net.

Keller said 750 flags were sold last year, with 1,200 sold in 2021.

An Independence Day fireworks show will presented in Graf Park Monday, July 3.

The evening will feature lawn games, concessions, carnival rides, DJ entertainment and giveaways beginning at 5:30 p.m. The fireworks show will begin at dusk.

The Independence Day parade will step off at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 4, in downtown Wheaton. The viewing stand will be on Front Street.

This year, the Grand Marshal will be Bernard Hurley, who turned 100 years old on May 15. He is a World War II veteran who served under the command of General George S. Patton Jr.

He will be accompanied by his grandson, Jon Ryan Hurley, a Marine who served in Afghanistan.

Marching units will include marching bands from Wheaton North and Wheaton Warrenville South high schools, the Medinah Mini Choppers, entertainment from Acrodazzle, the Midwest Model T Cars, and the Four Star Brass Band.

For more information on all of the Independence Day events or registration for the parade, visit wheatonparkdistrict.com.

Deadline to register is Monday, June 26.