Events Calendar

Unforgettable Forgottonia's Independence Day Celebration is held annually on July 4 and 2026's will be very special as we celebrate America 250 - our nation's semiquincentennial and McDonough County's bicentennial!!

9:00am-11:00am -
Looking For Lincoln Self-Guided Tour
- Featuring the nations only Living Topiary Monument
- Macomb's Courthouse Historic Square and beyond

11:00am-11:30am -
Abraham Lincoln Statue Dedication/Unveiling
- This year's all-day event will include the unveiling of a new life-sized statue of Abraham Lincoln on the historic McDonough County Courthouse grounds on which he spoke in 1858. An Abraham Lincoln interpreter will be joining the festivities to meet and greet visitors. At the McDonough County Courthouse.

That day, visitors, history seekers and travelers alike are also encouraged to stroll Macomb's historic downtown using Visit Unforgettable Forgottonia's new and innovative Unforgettable Adventures, Experiences & Trails Interactive Map which features among many other fascinating attractions the Abraham National Heritage Area's Looking For Lincoln Self-Guide Tour - showcasing the country’s only Living Lincoln Topiary Monument.

11:30am-1:00pm -
Macomb Murals Self-Guided Tour
- Experience Macomb's historic Murals Tour and view a unique and informative collection of murals spotlighting Macomb's very own Rev. Dr.  C.T. Vivian, "Big" Al Sears, Lizzie Magie, the Underground Railroad and more.

1:00pm-4:00pm -
Museum Celebration
A reception following the unveiling along with an America 250 program featuring a reading of the Declaration of Independence will be held at the Western Illinois Museum.
- As well as America 250-County Bicentennial interactive Community Comment Wall
- Pie Walk with Homemade Pie Tastings
- Live Music

4:00pm-8:00pm
Macombopoly
- And our unforgettable, one-of-a-kind signature attraction - Lizzie’s Magie’s Macombopoly: The World’s Largest Interactive Monopoly Experience!

7:00pm-10:00pm -
Annual Fireworks Display
- Hosted by the City of Macomb in conjunction with Western Illinois University.
- Food Trucks, Live Music, & Fireworks

NOTE: Those attending the Fireworks Display may park in WIU's Q-lot, bring lawn chairs, snacks and refreshments and enjoy the fireworks outside their vehicle near the west of Western Hall.

Join the community of Fort Madison in celebrating 250 years of the USA in its 114th annual Charlie Korschgen Kiddie Parade! A parade of costumes, decorated bikes, community fun, and all things Red, White, and Blue!

This Parade is taking place on Saturday July 4th at 10am and is FREE to all participants!

It will take place on the route starting at 15th & Ave. G to The Moose Club at 6th & Ave G

Registration for the parade is located at 1525 Avenue G, on July 4, from 8:30am to 9:45am. No preregistration is necessary.

For more information you can contact Andy Andrews (319)-371-5379 or Dusty Andrews (319)-470-9413

The Hancock County Independence Day Celebration in Carthage, IL, takes place on Saturday, July 4, 2026, centering around the Historic Carthage Square. The family-friendly event features food vendors, live entertainment, children's activities, and a spectacular fireworks display at dusk.

Parade
Beginning at 11:00am Saturday morning, the annual parade will take place around the square!

Post-Parade Festivities
Following the parade there will be food vendors, entertainers, children's games, activities and more! Also set up in the Carthage Square!

Fireworks
Fireworks set off at dusk. (9:00pm) They can be seen from all over but are traditionally launched near the Joe Grate Sports Complex.

If you would like to participate in the parade, you can find more information or submit a parade entry via the official Carthage, IL Events Page.

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.

Fireworks, Friends, Vendors, Camping, Fishing, Swimming, What more could you ask for on the fourth of July l!!!

Call to make reservations 309-772-3609

The Western Illinois Museum (WIM) joins the City of Macomb and Visit Unforgettable Forgottonia in a day-long celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on Saturday, July 4th.
As part of this historic anniversary, WIM invites community members of all ages to gather on Our Front Porch from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. for an afternoon of music, family activities, homemade pie, and a community reading of the Declaration of Independence.
The celebration also features some of the traditions that have long been part of Independence Day gatherings. Guests can enjoy a pie walk to Stars & Stripes Forever, sample homemade pies from treasured family recipes, and listen to patriotic favorites performed by a brass quintet of Western Illinois University music students. Throughout the afternoon, visitors will have opportunities to visit with neighbors, enjoy refreshments, and celebrate this milestone in our nation's history.
Children and families will find activities throughout the afternoon designed to explore the story of Independence Day in engaging and creative ways. Volunteers will read books inspired by the Declaration of Independence and the Revolutionary War era and lead hands-on activities, including making decorative ribbon pins. Through stories, crafts, and conversation, children of all ages can explore the ideas, values, and challenges that shaped the founding of the United States.

1:00 p.m. – Community Reading of the Declaration of Independence and children's books inspired by the Declaration and Revolutionary War era
1:30 p.m. – Patriotic Music by a Brass Quintet of Western Illinois University Music Students
2:00 p.m. – Pie Walk
2:30 p.m. – Patriotic Music by a Brass Quintet of Western Illinois University Music Students

Join the city of Quincy in its annual Freedom Fest! Taking place on the Mississippi Riverfront at Clat Adams Bicentennial Park (200 N. Front St.), this special 250th-anniversary (America 250) two-day event features live bands, a small-business street fair, children's games, and culminates with a massive grand fireworks display.

July 4rd, starting at 3pm at Clat Adams Park will open with Live bands, fair stalls, children's games, activities, and vendors. From 3:00-11:00pm!

The night will conclude with a firework display beginning around 9:00pm, after the show bands will resume with performing until 11:00pm

While the fireworks can be seen from several western parts of Quincy, the professionally choreographed PyroMusical and low-level pyrotechnics are best experienced on-site at Clat Adams Park.

Public parking is available on nearby streets and in designated areas north of the park, including surrounding historic business districts and Lincoln Park.

For more information, to purchase VIP/banquet tickets, or to check out the developing music and vendor lineup, you can visit the official Quincy Freedom Fest website or follow the Quincy Freedom Fest Facebook Page.

Fireworks - Food Trucks - Live Music - T-shirt Giveaway

Saturdays throughout June, enjoy live music at the bar and grill at Kickapoo State Recreation Area. Shows featuring country, folk, and classic rock begin at 5 p.m. each night. Learn more at Kickapoo Adventures online.  

July 4 – America’s 250th Birthday Celebration
Vince Grady Field (WIU) – Evening performance TBD
Conductor: Mike Fansler

We hope you’ll join us throughout the summer as we celebrate community, great music, and some very special performances, including our Independence Day concert!

Mark your calendars and bring a friend!