Hennepin's Fourth of July celebration

Cruise-in
The sixth annual Independence Day Cruise-In will be from noon to 4 p.m. at Bassi Park on High Street. Cars, trucks and motorcycles are welcome and trophies will be awarded in several categories. Food and beverage will be available for purchase. A 50/50 drawing will be held. The public is encouraged to cast a vote for the coveted “People’s Choice” trophy. Last year’s People’s Choice car is featured on this year’s dash plaque.

Slow Tuesday
Slow Tuesday, a central Illinois band, will headline Hennepin’s July 4 evening stage entertainment in front of the Putnam County Courthouse.

Slow Tuesday has been entertaining the area at festivals, weddings and clubs since 2004. With their wide range of music from the 60's to today’s hits, they are able to entertain people of all ages and keep them on their feet. The band will perform prior to and following a spectacular fireworks show over the Illinois River. Lawn chairs and blankets are highly recommended for optimum listening and viewing pleasure. The rain date for the fireworks only will be July 5.

The Hennepin July 4 Committee is also pleased to welcome the Marshall Putnam Stark Show Choir with a performance to please all ages. Hennepin resident Debbie Doyle will be formally presented the Larry Wilt Citizen of the Year Award and a donation in her name will be made to a representative of the PC Education Foundation by the Village of Hennepin.  The PC Community Choir and the Putnam County Panteras will also take the stage during the evening activities.

This year’s Bocce and Bags tournaments will be staggered to allow participants to play in both as requested by many players after last year’s event. Two hundred dollars will be added to the entry fees for each tournament and all money collected will be paid out in prizes. The popular inflatable rides, children’s old fashioned games, pony rides and free petting zoo will be located at Walter Durley Boyle Park. Food and beverage vendors will be plentiful throughout the park. The PC FFA Alumni will serve a pork chop dinner in the shelter. The Hennepin Fire and Rescue will open the beer garden at noon. The McNabb Magnolia Jr. Women’s Club will host the Bingo tent beginning at 1 p.m.