Jul 3, 2009 2:04 pm US/Central
Crowds Flock To Grant Park For July 3 Fireworks
Streets To Begin Closing As Early As 6:30 p.m.
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Fireworks in Grant Park on July 3, 2008.
CBS
Crowds are flocking to Grant Park Friday night to take in the annual Independence Eve fireworks.
After sampling the cuisines of Chicago and the world at the Taste of Chicago, then they will head to the Petrillo Music Shell, where the Arlington Heights-based 85h Army Band will play at 7:30 p.m.
In past years, the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra played a concert on July 3 before the fireworks, but this year, the orchestral concert has been rescheduled for July 4, and the city has decided to go with an army band instead.
"This year we decided to feature a military band on a day that's all about the fight for freedom," Mayor's Office of Special Events spokeswoman Cindy Gatziolis said in May. "And more patriotic songs also have been added to the fireworks soundtrack."
As in past years, the traditional fireworks extravaganza begins at 9 p.m., with a soundtrack provided by WTMX-FM (101.9), a practice begun last year.
The fireworks display will last 20 minutes. The view of the show is best from Grant Park or the Museum Campus, but the fireworks can be seen from several miles to the north or south along the lakefront.
The city may close Michigan Avenue alongside Grant Park as early as 6:30 p.m. Rolling street closures are expected to begin at 8 p.m., and depending on crowd size, they may extend to North and South Wacker Drive on the west, Michigan Avenue on the east, Ontario Street on the north, and 16th Street on the south.
Traffic may also be diverted west from the lakefront depending on conditions, officials said.
Visitors are reminded that there are only three entrance points to the Taste of Chicago grounds. Previously, visitors could walk up to the Taste from any point along the periphery of Grant Park. But now, patrons must use one of four access points – Monroe and Columbus drives, Jackson Boulevard and Michigan Avenue, Congress Parkway and Michigan Avenue, and Balbo and Columbus drives.
The Chicago Transit Authority was operating on a Sunday schedule earlier in the day, but now, additional service is available to accommodate those going downtown.
All northbound buses will be staged on LaSalle Street, southbound buses on Clark Street, and westbound buses on Madison Street west of Clark, except the No. 126 Jackson, which will be staged at Adams and Clark streets.
Metra has also stepped up service
For those who miss the Taste fireworks on Friday, Navy Pier will have fireworks at 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 4.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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