Kankakee, IL – Kankakee’s annual July 4th celebration will have a new look this year as the day’s festivities will be capped off by an exciting laser show to replace the usual fireworks display. The laser show will follow the traditional Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra (KVSO) concert on the campus of Kankakee Community College (KCC). The event will again take place on the campus of Kankakee Community College.
“We are definitely shining a new light on the July 4th celebration,” said Kankakee Mayor Chasity Wells-Armstrong. “This event is eco-friendly and provides another option for those residents who may become
distressed at the sound of fireworks. I am proud to have worked with the KVSO, KCC and our city council to bring this memorable and unique opportunity to our city.”
Gates will open at 4 p.m. with the Kankakee Valley Youth Symphony taking the stage for their performance at 5 p.m. Also new this year is the addition of the Kankakee Municipal Band. They will perform at 6 p.m. The Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra will take to the stage at 7:30 p.m. The laser show will follow the orchestra.
“We are extremely pleased that we are able to bring an exciting new element to the July 4th concert,” said KVSO president Yvonne Chalfant. “We brought this idea to the Mayor and are delighted how she and the city have embraced it. This year will be an amazing celebration.”
Chalfant added the KVSO is proud of the partnership that has been formed with the City of Kankakee over the past several decades. She said it is that relationship, along with the commitment of the leadership at KCC, which has allowed this annual event to become a gift the organizations can bring to the community.
The KVSO has also announced that this year they will forgo the $20 per car price that has been charged in the past. Instead, KVSO representatives will seek donations from those that attend. The event will also feature food vendors, face-painting and likely a few other surprises.
“We really want people to come out to the beautiful grounds of KCC and experience this wonderful event for themselves.” Chalfant said. “We did not want the charge at the gate to be a deterrent. Now, people are welcome to come out and enjoy the beautiful music and the dazzling laser show. If people support what we are doing to enhance the quality of life in the region, we are confident they will show that support with a donation.”
The KVSO program will include patriotic and classical music, including classic film scores and some classic rock. “This really will be an event not to miss,” said Chalfant. For the laser show, Kankakee has partnered with Laser Encore, a Minneapolis-based production company that specializes in laser light shows, laser displays and special effects for all types of events and permanent installations nationally and internationally. The best viewing of the laser show will be on the grounds of KCC.
Those on or across the river will not have good viewing of the lasers.
“This will truly be an event to remember,” said Wells-Armstrong. “We are taking a cherished tradition and giving it a fresh update. I think the community will be pleased with the result.”
For more information visit, KVSO.org.
