New Lenox Fireworks and 4th of July Guide

It's time to celebrate our nation's independence, and you don't have to go far to see a professional fireworks show.

READ: Find Fireworks for Fourth of July 2013 Around New Lenox

New Lenox's Fourth of July celebration begins at 7 p.m. at the with a performance by Bernie Glim & Country Roads. The Joliet American Legion will present at 8:30 p.m., and the fireworks show is at 9:30 p.m. 

More Information

Southland Fireworks Shows: Looking for other fireworks displays in the south suburbs? Patch has you covered with a . 

Behind the Scenes: A 20-minute fireworks show can take 12 hours to set up.  on New Lenox Patch. 

Fireworks Video: Did you miss last year's show in New Lenox, or want to watch it again? . 

Village Commons Events: New Lenox's Fourth of July celebration isn't the only event at the Village Commons this summer. For a full list of concerts, movie nights and more, check out our . 

Photo Contest: Can you sport the red, white and blue with the best of 'em? Patch wants more than just one day to celebrate the grand ol' U. S. of A.! Keep the celebration going with an entry in our .

Holiday Traffic Guide: Traveling for the Fourth? Check out our or follow local traffic in Patch's Commuter Guide. 

Holiday Safety Tips:  offered a bunch of , including some powerful numbers about firework-related injuries and drunken driving. 

There are about 8,500 firework-related injuries each year in the U.S., 2,000 of which are eye injuries. And although sparklers are legal here, they account for three-quarters of all firework injuries in preschoolers.

“It's really a lot safer to go to a professional show at one of the many area park districts,” said Daniel Checco, Medical Director for the Silver Cross Free-Standing Emergency Care Center in Homer Glen. “By letting trained experts light the fireworks, all you have to do is sit there and enjoy the show.”

Photographing Fireworks: Capturing fireworks on camera is a challenge that can be mastered easily with the right equipment and settings on your camera. Here is a short tutorial to help you capture the rockets' red glare this Fourth of July. 

Head over to Rochester Patch for photos and more step-by-step advice on .

Fireworks Illegal in Illinois

You can have sparklers, smoke bombs and party poppers, but the fun stops there. Fireworks are illegal in Illinois, and if you're caught with them the penalty can range from a small fine to nearly a year in prison.

Deputy Chief Bob Pawlisz of the New Lenox Police Department said that locally, there is a $25 fine if you're caught with some smaller fireworks, such as bottlerockets or firecrackers. But if you have the larger, industrial-like stuff that goes boom, there's a fine of up to $750 and you could possibly be charged with a Class A misdemeanor with a maximum sentence of 364 days in Will County Jail.

In 2011, police said they didn't issue any citations for fireworks, . According to police blotter reports, at least one citation has already been issued in 2012.