On

Saturday, July 4, 2026, the City of Macomb, the Visit Unforgettable Forgottonia, and the Western Illinois Museum will host a full day of events celebrating America's 250th anniversary and McDonough County's own bicentennial. From a self-guided Lincoln tour at sunrise to fireworks over Vince Grady Field at dusk, this is an all-ages, all-day celebration of the history that makes Forgottonia worth the drive.

9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. — Looking for Lincoln Self-Guided Tour, Macomb Historic Courthouse Square and surrounding area.
11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. — Abraham Lincoln Statue Dedication and Unveiling, McDonough County Courthouse lawn.
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. — Macomb Murals Self-Guided Tour, Macomb Historic Courthouse Square.
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. — America 250 Community Celebration, Western Illinois Museum, 201 S. Lafayette St. The afternoon program at the Western Illinois Museum includes a public reading of the Declaration of Independence, an interactive America 250 and County Bicentennial Community Comment Wall, a pie walk featuring homemade pies made from family recipes, live patriotic music, guided tours of Museum exhibits, and a meet-and-greet with Abraham Lincoln. The Museum is fully accessible, and free parking is available.
4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. — Macombopoly: The World's Largest Interactive Monopoly Experience.
9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. — Annual Fireworks Display, Vince Grady Field. The day closes with Macomb's annual Fourth of July fireworks show.