Independence Celebration

Warrenville’s 4th of July Celebration is a two-day event that begins on July 3rd. Organized by the Friends of the Fourth Committee and partially funded by the City’s Hotel/Motel grant program, many, many resident volunteers come together to host the event for the Warrenville community and beyond. The celebration kicks off with a parade on July 3rd. This fun event showcases Warrenville’s talent with local school and Park District dance troops, bands, and singers. Local scouting troops walk the parade, celebrating the flag and what it represents. Attendees will see new and old-time fire trucks and squad cars as well as floats from local businesses and community groups.

On the 4th of July, Cerny Park is transformed into a large festival to celebrate our nation's birthday. Another parade featuring just the children takes place early in the day with the rest of the celebration filled with events and food. Kids can enjoy clowns, face painting, contests such as the water balloon toss, trampolines, etc. Adults have their choice of food and beverage as well as joining in on the contests and watching the entertainment (bands and magicians). The event concludes with a spectacular fireworks show at the end of the evening.

For more information on this event or to volunteer, contact the Friends of Fourth Committee Chair, Vivian Lund at 630/393-1186.

Annual Arbor Day Celebration

The National Arbor Day Foundation sponsors an annual event celebrated during ideal tree planting times in each state. While Illinois always recognizes Arbor Day on the last Friday in April, individual communities pick dates that work best for their own residents. Warrenville typically holds its Arbor Day celebration on the last Saturday in April. The City’s Environmental Advisory Commission organizes the event, establishing a new theme each year. The event’s goal is to maintain Warrenville’s Tree City USA status and encourage new and continued enthusiasm from residents to keep Warrenville green. A location is chosen by the Commission that typically highlights a new public structure or area. The Commission plants trees during the celebration at this location.

Student groups from Johnson Elementary School, Bower Elementary School, and other local schools provide music and songs during the celebration, while scout troops present the flag ceremony. Many crafting activities are offered to children attending the celebration. In addition, a special dedication plaque is presented during the festivities in honor of the new trees planted at the chosen location. The Environmental Advisory Commission usually provides the new public area with an aesthetic enhancement such as a bench or picnic table, as well. Free tree seedlings are given out to families each year.

Residents are encouraged to attend this celebration of nature that kicks off the spring season each year. This wonderful community event is educational for children and teaches them to respect the natural world surrounding them. For more information on National Arbor Day and Tree City USA, visit their website.

Bike Rodeo

This bicycle safety event, perfect for kids, is hosted each May from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the City Hall parking lot on Stafford Place near the Gazebo. Bicyclists and Pedestrian Advisory Commission members and volunteers provide information related to bicycling, trails, paths, safe routes to schools, bike and vehicle safety, bicycle care, and bicycle equipment. Attendees have an opportunity to provide community feedback to the Commission on bike routes through Warrenville. Great raffle prizes, like bicycles and helmets, are available with some fun giveaways. Children have an opportunity to ride a safety course and police officers are on hand to register bicycles. Working Bikes Cooperative, a not-for-profit cooperative that diverts bicycles from the waste stream in Chicago by repairing them for sale and charity, collect bikes for recycling. The library offers a bibliography of cycling books, magazines, and helpful websites. This is a truly fun event that also provides invaluable safety tips for families.

Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day Ceremonies

The last Monday of every May is recognized as Memorial Day in Warrenville and every November 11 honors Veterans’ Day. On these days, the City conducts a ceremony honoring those who have and continue to serve their Country. These services are held at the Veterans’ Memorial on Stafford Place outside City Hall at 11:00 a.m. The local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 8081 conducts the ceremonies with full military protocol.

For more information on Veterans Day visit the Veterans Day National Committee’s home page. For more information on local recognition of either day, contact Warrenville’s local VFW Post 8081 at 630/393-9705.

National Night Out

National Night Out began in 1984 as America’s Night Out Against Crime, with participation in just twenty-three of the fifty United States, and now boasts of participation worldwide. The spirit of the event is to promote neighborhood relationships, and police-community partnerships, in a joint effort to make our nation safer.

On the first Tuesday of August, Warrenville Police Department hosts and participates in this annual event, with the assistance of community businesses and volunteers. National Night Out provides information on both personal and home safety, allows neighbors a chance to meet, and forms a bond between the police and the citizens they protect and serve. Police, and sponsors, provide Warrenville residents this cost free event, including food, children’s activities, music, giveaways and raffle prizes. Licensed teenagers have an opportunity to drive a safety course with a police officer, while attempting to text or while wearing vision goggles, which simulate Driving Under the Influence conditions. Both the Warrenville Fire Protection District and Emergency Service Disaster Agency provide families an opportunity to view their emergency response equipment and answer questions.

Warrenville residents can look forward to an enjoyable and fun-filled evening celebrating the spirit, the successes, and the determination it takes in keeping the promise of our neighborhood’s future bright and safe!

For more information on National Night Out, please visit their website at www.nationalnightout.org

Summer Daze

Summer Daze, formally the Car Show and Street Dance, is Warrenville’s premier summer event. Held on the first Friday and Saturday of August, this event gives Warrenville residents a chance to come together for fun before summer comes to a close. Originally a one-day event, funding by the City’s Hotel/Motel tax grants as well as community demand allowed the event to expand to Friday evening and all day Saturday. This event is held in Warrenville’s downtown at the southwest corner of Route 56 and Batavia Road.

Hosted by the Warrenville Chamber of Commerce, the two-day event takes many volunteers from Warrenville residents, business owners, and Chamber and City employees to administer. Residents from neighboring communities and throughout the Midwest attend the event and sport their custom car. In addition, the event boasts children's rides, a craft show and bazaar, a kids' garage sale, bands and local talent, karaoke, and delicious food and drink from local establishments. Most notably, however, the event features unique cars, motorcycles, and boats. Warrenville residents look forward to this festival each year as a chance to mix, mingle and enjoy the show!

Holly Days

Holly Days, sponsored by the Warrenville Park District and Warrenville Chamber of Commerce, is the City’s annual holiday celebration that marks Santa’s official entry into Warrenville. Typically hosted on the first Friday night in December, the event takes place in Gazebo and parking lot of Albright Park across the street from City Hall on Stafford Place. Residents can enjoy a warm bonfire, raffles, free horse and carriage rides, hot cider and cookies, and, of course, a visit with Santa. Local Park District and school dance troops, singers, and bands entertain attendees during the event. It is at this event that Warrenville officially turns on its holiday lights creating an array of colors for passersby along Route 56 to see.

Holly Days, primarily for Warrenville residents, gives the community an opportunity to come together and kick off the holiday season.