In an attempt to better manage attendance and enhance the experience for locals, South Holland, a Chicago suburb, will be charging non-residents an entry fee to its popular Fourth of July fireworks display, as reported by NBC Chicago. Scheduled to entertain from 6-9:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, these festivities come at no cost for residents who can produce proof of residence, yet non-residents aged above six have been asked to fork over $8 in advance or $10 at the event's gate.
This year's implemented fee, which the village has decided due to the event's "overwhelming popularity," aims to "better serve our residents and ensure an experience with plenty of space and resources," the village stated, according to NBC Chicago, meanwhile those under the age of 5 can still enjoy the event for free, and non-residents can procure their tickets through Eventbrite, paired with various free parking options at designated locations including the gravel lot at South Park Avenue and 160th Place the First Reformed Church among others.
Community reactions to the new paywall have been mixed, with some locals appreciating the goal of reducing crowds and optimizing the celebration for the residents, while others see this move as exclusionary. "This year we really wanted to honor our residents and provide an opportunity for them to have the best experience in for the fireworks show in their own community we wanted to prioritize our own residents," Julia Huisman, South Holland's director of communications, conveyed to ABC7. Resident Yolanda Miller considers the fee reasonable for what she expects will be a memorable event, "Parking is plentiful, the park is nice, the neighborhood is nice, the weather has been perfect, so for $10 you will get your money's worth," she told ABC7.
Nevertheless, Derrick Harrison, voicing his disagreement with the new practice, lamented, "I think during the holidays it should be free, because there's a lot of kids who want to see the fireworks, and it kind of shut people out," a sentiment shared by Donna Harris, who disliked the idea as it may limit turnout "That's not fair. That's going to limit the people who come out, and they come because they don't want to come downtown, and they can see it here. That's not right," both residents expressed their concerns in their respective interviews with ABC7. South Holland residents have been advised to carry an ID or utility bill to prove their residency status, while attendees 18 and under are required to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
