PHOTOS: Chicagoans Brave Nasty Weather To Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary

CHICAGO — Despite foggy conditions, fireworks could be seen throughout the city Saturday night as Chicagoans celebrated America’s 250^th birthday.

Parents watched as kids set off fireworks in North Center on Chicago’s Northwest Side.

In Pilsen, neighbors blocked off streets to host block parties filled with music, food and, on one block, over 100 feet of firecrackers, lined up to form a big circle.

This year’s Fourth of July celebration was milder than in years past, neighbor Jessica Arizaga said.

“This year is a little bit quieter because of the storms,” said Arizaga. “We’ve been lighting fireworks on the Fourth since 1980. Everyone on this street knows us.”

Despite the stormy weather, Arizaga’s family and their neighbors had a plethora of fireworks to set off.

By 11:30 p.m., all surrounding streets were reopened, firework remnants were cleaned up and the music was turned off.

Some of the loudest fireworks in the area were found further south in Chinatown, where dozens of teenagers watched from an alley.

Steven Chen and his friends ignited several at a time, creating consecutive explosions that could be felt from multiple blocks away.

“We try to bring everyone together on the Fourth to show people how to celebrate the right way,” Chen said. “It’s getting harder now that we’re all getting older, but we always like to celebrate.

“Bad weather or not, we just want everyone to have a good time.”

In North Center, high-school teens were taking advantage of their freedom. Brothers Arthur and Steve Tobler retrieved fireworks from their stockpile laid out on a table in their garage.

“It’s kind of insane that our parents are letting us do this,” Steve Tobler said.

Some younger children even joined the fun by setting off Roman candles and other smaller pyrotechnics.

“I just wish this fog would go away already. It’s blocking our view,” Arthur Tobler said. The fog was so thick, it delayed the Cubs’ game against the Cardinals at Wrigley Field.

The Toblers’ display, which took place in the alley behind their house, drew complaints from some neighbors, to which Arthur replied, “It’s the Fourth of July, what do you expect?”