Story posted Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Light Up The Skies Friday
With a new sponsor, more money, and an expanded community committee, Park Ridge's Park District is promising that this year's July 3 fireworks show will be "spectacular."
This year's show at Maine East High School will be primarily supported by Park Ridge entrepreneur Tony Svanescini, CEO of americaneagle.com. He is a Park Ridge resident who has agreed to underwrite most of the cost of the display, which this year will cost about $25,000, according to Kathie Hahn, park district spokesperson.
This year's Fireworks Committee includes representatives from the park district, the City of Park Ridge, High School District 207, Park Ridge Kiwanis Club, and the Park Ridge Fine Arts Society. This group began meeting last summer, shortly after the 2008 event, which was attended by about 8,000 persons.
Established in 1995, americaneagle.com employs 150 people in Park Ridge and is an industry leader in website design, development, hosting, and marketing for Fortune 500 companies, professional sports teams, and manufacturers of niche products.
This year's July 3 fun will start at 6:30 p.m. with children's entertainment and games, including a DJ for interactive fun and face painting. Classic fireworks t-shirts will be sold at nominal cost.
Area residents may bring a lawn chair and a picnic (no alcoholic beverages allowed), and, as an option, food and beverages are available for purchase.
Musical entertainment will be provided, and the fireworks display begins at dusk, or approximately 9 p.m.
Reservations for 125 spaces of Preferred Parking in the Maine East parking lot may be made through July 2, the day before the event.
They will be located closest to the stadium and area where activities take place. Preferred spaces, available on a first-come, first-served basis, cost $16 per car for residents and $28 per car for non-residents. They may be made only through the Park Ridge Park District, 847-692-5127.
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