Go forth locally on 4th

From the Friday, July 4, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Go forth locally on 4th
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

Home-sweet-home types, not to worry. From fireworks displays, music and food to carnival rides and magic shows, plenty of Fourth of July festivities are happening locally this weekend.

Crystal Lake’s Gala Festival started Thursday night at Lippold Park, west of Route 14 on Route 176, Crystal Lake. The Gala – complete with live music performances, carnival rides and food – will continue through 10 p.m. Sunday.

For Tom Wieczorek of McHenry, the holiday will be a time to visit family in Wonder Lake and partake in festivities there.

“I’m going to Wonder Lake to see the water ski show, fireworks and parade,” Wieczorek said.

Wonder Lake’s ski show will be at 4 p.m. today at Center Beach. A magic show will follow the ski show, and fireworks will be at dusk.

For people such as Cherie Smith of Crystal Lake – a self-proclaimed “party pooper” – there will be plenty of fireworks to choose from if you opt out of festivals in the daytime.

“Usually I just go see the fireworks,” Smith said.

Huntley, Woodstock, Wonder Lake, Spring Grove and several other communities will host their fireworks shows tonight.

If the celebration mood hasn’t ceased on Saturday, swing by Fox Lake for the Celebrate Fox Lake Parade at 10 a.m. and crafts fair at Millennium Park after the parade.

Fox Lake, McHenry and Crystal Lake all have fireworks Saturday night.