Plot Synopsis

Each year since 1982, the city of Chicago has celebrated Independence Day with a fireworks display. After hosting the event on July 3 at Grant Park as part of Taste of Chicago for many years, in 2010 Mayor Richard M. Daley moved the celebration to July 4 and expanded the fireworks displays to three locations: North Side (Montrose Beach); South Side (63rd Street Beach); and Downtown (Navy Pier). One year later, the fireworks display was again held at a single location -- but at Navy Pier, where it has been held ever since. In 2012, Mayor Emanuel moved Taste of Chicago to mid-July, and CHICAGO'S SUMMER BLAST has continued as a fireworks festival on Independence Day ever since. Local station WGN-TV first telecast CHICAGO'S SUMMER BLAST in 2008, and has continued to provide a live broadcast each year -- with WGN America airing a nationwide simulcast from 2011-2013. The event was renamed the 1st annual Freedom Fest at Navy Pier in 2014, and was only broadcast locally.