WHEATON PARK DISTRICT HOSTS INDEPENDENCE DAY “CELEBRATION!” JULY 3 AND 4

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: June 21, 2016

Wheaton, Ill.—The Fourth of July is something you can feel in your chest, from the pulse of pride to the pulse of the fireworks in the sky, and the Wheaton Park District’s annual Independence Day Celebration on Sunday, July 3 in Graf Park (1701 Manchester Rd.) and Monday, July 4 in downtown Wheaton captures all of it.

Graf Park, located adjacent to the DuPage County Fairgrounds, is the perfect venue to host a fireworks display, carnival, food vendors, and more, said Kristina Nemetz, Superintendent of Marketing & Special Events at the district.

“Starting at 4:30 in the afternoon, we’ll have carnival rides, food vendors, a business expo, DJ, art mural, and other activities leading up to the fireworks show at night,” she said, which is expected to fire its first shell after the presentation of the colors at 9P and the descent of dusk.

Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets, snacks, and nonalcoholic beverages. Due to district policy, no dogs will be allowed in the park apart from service animals.

Parking will be available in the park just south of Monroe Middle School and also in the western fields of the fairgrounds. Sparklers and smoke bombs are prohibited.

The celebration of the nation continues the next morning with the Wheaton Park District and the City of Wheaton’s annual Fourth of July parade, led by Grand Marshal Ed Ewoldt.

Ewoldt, 88, may not have been born in Wheaton, but he embodies it. With decades of service as a teacher, athletic director, coach, and active member of several civic organizations, Ewoldt has contributed much to his adopted city.

And he’ll lead it in recognizing American independence when the parade steps off at 10A from Hawthorne Blvd., heads south on Main St., turns west on Wesley St., goes south on Wheaton Ave., travels east on Front Street, and concludes at the corner of Cross and Front Streets.

Thousands of residents line the streets every year to watch dozens of floats—created by local schools, businesses, churches, charities, political parties and candidates, nonprofit organizations, and others—go by. Downtown Wheaton Association, DuPage County Fair, Wheaton Lions Club, Carlson Paint, Glass and Art Stores, Inc., and more will march this year.

Hailing from Wall Lake, Iowa, the birthplace of singer Andy Williams, Ewoldt fought with the Navy through WWII and beyond, returning to Iowa in 1953 to obtain his teaching degrees in biology and men’s physical education.

After a few years teaching in his home state, he moved to Wheaton in 1959 with his soon-to-be-wife Nancy. He wore several academic hats at Wheaton Community High School, teaching biology, ecology, life science, and driver’s ed. He also wore many athletic hats across his careers as an assistant coach for football, baseball, softball, soccer, swimming, and golf.

His greatest sports success arrived as Head Wrestling Coach; in 1966, his team took second in the state, and Ewoldt later served as the first and only Illinois high school wrestling historian.

Following his retirement from a 16-year stint as athletic director at Wheaton Central High School, Ewoldt still lives in Wheaton, attending Gary United Methodist Church and staying active in several civic organizations, including the Center for History.

Speaking of history: to mark 10 decades of parades, this year’s theme is “Celebration!”

Participants are encouraged to decorate their floats according to the theme. Each year, the parade committee bestows awards to the best entries in several categories, from the general Best of Show to Most Creative, Most Patriotic, and Best Political.

“The parade really gives you a hometown, tight-knit community feel,” Nemetz said. “It feels great to see so many people coming together to celebrate something we all have in common.”

For parade entry questions, contact Sherry Krajelis at 630.510.5051 or [email protected].

Sponsorships are still being accepted for July 3’s evening of fireworks and family fun and July 4’s parade. Contact Kristina Nemetz at [email protected].

At press time, sponsors for the Independence Day Celebration included Jerry Haggerty Chevrolet, DuPage County Republicans, and the City of Wheaton.

For more information, visit the Wheaton 2016 Independence Day Celebration Page.