Above & Below / After selecting a patriotic design, kid after kid after kid sat patiently while face painters applied their artistry in red, white and blue. (PN File Photos 2021)
The second annual Naperville Salute, a four-day festival slated for July 1-4, will continue to be “a celebration of our families, our community, and our hometown values; centered around our military servicemembers and first responders, in a collective salute to them and to what they guard for us: our safety and our freedom,” organizers say.
In partnership with the City of Naperville, the Naperville Park District, and generous sponsors, The Naperville Salute again will take place at Rotary Hill, located at 443 Aurora Avenue, directly across the street from Naperville Central High School.
The four-day festival will blend family-friendly entertainment, 15 sets of live music, “festival food” and beverage vendors, a Kids Family Fun Zone, a Kids Family Fun Tent as well as special presentations for military Veterans.
Kids Family Fun Zone by Day / Kids Family Fun Tent by Evening
Free entry for kids to the Family Fun Zone on Rotary Hill is slated for 10AM-12:30PM Sat., July 2, and Sun. July 3; then again 10AM-2PM Mon., July 4.
The morning Family Fun Zone is a stand-alone 2.5-hour event with attractive things to do for youngsters, free of charge for everybody, all ages. Hot dogs, snow cones and beverages will be available for purchase, Salute organizers said. (The festival allows only one sealed bottle of water from outside sources upon entry.)
Last year, one day was set aside for a kids area. The special time for youngsters to meet exotic reptiles and creepy crawlers, have their faces painted, play games and learn about public safety proved to be so popular that this year’s event has expanded fun designed for kids to take place in the evening, too.
During the 2021 Salute, lines of kids waited patiently to wind past Reptiles and Bugs on exhibit in one tent. Some of the creepy creatures appeared to just sit there, waiting for youngsters to touch them. Kids loved it!
“We are so excited to bring patriotic, family-friendly fun to the Salute again this year,” said Becca Willey, who is turning ideas she had for one morning last year into four days of activities for 2022.
“The addition of the Family Fun Tent at the top of the hill from 5-7PM on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will provide things for the kids to do while parents enjoy themselves!”
For free entry for kids 11 and under, youngsters must be accompanied by a paying adult for late afternoon admission to the Salute on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Artists again will welcome youngsters to sit for creative face paintings and tattoos that reflect Independence Day in sparkling red, white and blue.
“We are also super excited to have Disney’s Street Team present, promoting Disney’s new Thor movie,” Willey said. “There will be lots of fun things to do, so you don’t want to miss the Salute festival this weekend!”
Concert Gates open! 4PM July 1 & July 2 / 2PM July 3 / Noon July 4
Concert gates open at 4PM Fri., July 1 (Admission $5) and Sat., July 2 (Admission $15), 2PM on Sun., July 3 (Admission $15), and Noon on Independence Day, Mon., July 4 (Free Entry). Youth 11 and under are free all the time when accompanied by an adult.
Naperville Salute Ruck March 5K / 8AM Mon., July 4
New this year is The Naperville Salute Ruck March 2022, a fast-paced 5K that steps off at 8AM on Independence Day from the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion.
NRFV Board of Directors thanks all sponsors and volunteers
The Salute team is ever-grateful for all of the 2022 Naperville Salute Founding Sponsors; all supporting contributors can be found at www.napervillesalute.org.
The Naperville Salute is run by a team of devoted and patriotic volunteers under the leadership again this year by Michele Clemen, chair; thus, 100 percent of the proceeds of the 2022 Naperville Salute will go to assist local veterans in need through Naperville Responds For Veterans, a 501(c)3 organization.
BYO Sit-upons! Or Dance!
Bring your own blankets and collapsible lawn chairs and plan to sit on the hill for a natural view of the entertainment stage. Or dance the night away in front of the stage or at the top of the hill.
For event updates, 4-day live music schedule, sponsorship and donation opportunities or to volunteer, visit www.napervillesalute.org.
And tell family, friends and neighbors that a hometown party is planned right in the heart of town!
Again, all proceeds benefit Naperville Responds for Veterans, recognizing a decade of assisting local Veterans in need of home repairs when the United States of America celebrates its 246th birthday.
One more thing… The 2022 Fireworks display, hosted by the City of Naperville and Naperville Park District, will be held beginning at 9:30PM Sun., July 3, at the Frontier Sports Complex, just south of Neuqua Valley High School. Thanks for leaving fireworks to the professionals. Be safe.
Last Updated, June 30, 2022