06/30/2026
In January, when we began planning Heritage Park's 50th, we visualized a bingo card of "what ifs".
✔️What if the 4th is a busy weekend when a lot of people will be out of town?
❌Let's plan a relaxing no pressure event on Thursday. It will give folks a chance to visit with their friends and neighbors, and enjoy a cookout atmosphere while the kids play.
✔️ What if it rains?
❌ We'll have the pavilion and tents for cover. Besides, the chances for rain the first week in July have got to be slim. Right?
No where on our bingo cards did we have hot and humid with a high temperature of 92 degrees!
Yes, it's gonna be hot but it will be a night we all remember for years to come. Just think about when the 75th rolls around, how your kids and grandkids will be telling their kids about how much fun they had back in '26 AND it was hotter than a firecracker.
Heritage Park - dedicated to the people of Erie in 1976.
Let's make the kick off to the next 50 years a night filled with memories that'll last a lifetime.
PS A little piece of history from 1976.
"On July 4, 1976, the Erie, Illinois area experienced an afternoon high temperature of approximately 80°F (26.7°C), with comfortable morning lows dropping into the mid-50s. The day featured mostly sunny skies and pleasant conditions, as a high-pressure system dominated the Midwest for the nation's Bicentennial."
Event made possible through the commitment of our steadfast community volunteers and generosity of the following sponsors:
Platinum: ComEd
Gold: Hanford Insurance
Silver: Erie Foods International, Stichter Construction, Gibson-Bode Funeral Home
Bronze: Country Companies Insurance and Financial Services
