1st NASCAR Series Without Rain, Rogue July 4 Fireworks And More

CHICAGO — Fourth of July weekend brought with it deafening neighborhood firework displays and no rain on the NASCAR racetrack until the last checkered flag was waved.

See what Block Club reporters captured while covering the city’s neighborhoods.

Fans watch during the Grant Park 165 race of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race in Grant Park on July 6, 2025. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago

Ross Chastain (1) practices ahead of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race in Grant Park on July 5, 2025. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago

Shane Van Gisbergen (88) celebrates after winning the Grant Park 165 race of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race in Grant Park on July 6, 2025. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago

People set off fireworks in Chinatown on July 4, 2025. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago

Chicago Fire Department firefighters battle a blaze after people set off fireworks in Chinatown on July 4, 2025. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago

People set off fireworks in Pilsen on July 4, 2025. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago

Classmates cheer out “Long Live Marjay” as family and friends gather to remember Marjay Dotson at his funeral at Healing Temple Church of God in Christ, 4941 W. Chicago Ave. in Austin on July 9, 2025. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago

Olivia Santelli, founder of the Rise Pilates Club, leads a pilates class at sunrise on Oak Street Beach in Chicago, Friday, June 27, 2025. The class, open to all ages and genders, drew a diverse group of attendees who spread out on yoga mats next to the lake. Victor Hilitski for Block Club Chicago Credit: Victor Hilitski for Block Club Chicago

A participant washes sand off her mat in Lake Michigan after a free public pilates class hosted by Rise Pilates Club at sunrise on Oak Street Beach in Chicago, Friday, June 27, 2025. Victor Hilitski for Block Club Chicago Credit: Victor Hilitski for Block Club Chicago

Ald. Peter Chico (10th) calls for more city and state enforcement and attention to odors emanating from Pullman Innovations during a July 9, 2025 press conference across the street from the facility, 2701 E. 100th St. in South Deering. Credit: Maxwell Evans/Block Club Chicago

A woman rummages through a crumpled red carpet and a poster of the album release party of artist Mello Buckzz outside Artis Restaurant and Lounge on July 3, 2025. Four were killed and another 14 were injured during a mass shooting outside the venue during an album launch party for the artist. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago

The scene after a shooting following the album release party of artist Mello Buckzz outside Artis Restaurant and Lounge on July 3, 2025. Four were killed and another 14 were injured during a mass shooting outside the venue. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago

Cook County elected officials and housing program officials cut the ribbon to celebrate Humboldt Park’s first modular home completion on July 2, 2025. Credit: Ariel Parrella-Aureli/Block Club Chicago

Sarah and Melissa are under contract to purchase a West Humboldt Park home by Inherent Homes and are the first neighborhood homeowners to buy the modular homes as part of a Cook County pilot program, seen behind another finished Humboldt Park home July 2, 2025. Credit: Ariel Parrella-Aureli/Block Club Chicago

Mayor Brandon Johnson announced a new internship program for kids ages 14-15 on July 9, 2025. Credit: Noah Asimow/Block Club Chicago

Veronica Ocasio, director of education and museum programming, tells the crowd about the surprise ICE encounter at National Puerto Rican Museum, 3015 W. Division St., July 9, 2025. Credit: Ariel Parrella-Aureli/Block Club Chicago

Yolanda Sandifer-Horton, coordinator of community partnerships, student engagement and college persistence, and members of the Leo Catholic High School choir pose for a photo on Monday, June 30, 2025. The choir recently inspired the crowd with their performance of “Born for This” by The Score on America’s Got Talent 2025. Credit: Peyton Reich for Block Club Chicago

Members of the Leo Catholic High School choir pose for a photo on Monday, June 30, 2025. The choir recently inspired the crowd with their performance of “Born for This” by The Score on America’s Got Talent 2025. Credit: Peyton Reich for Block Club Chicago

"Afropuff Gurls" #1 and #2 by Cat Roberts, on display at the Chicago Urban Art Retreat Center at 1957 S. Spaulding Ave. on June 8. “Afropuff Gurls” #1 and #2 by Cat Roberts, on display at the Chicago Urban Art Retreat Center at 1957 S. Spaulding Ave. on July 8, 2025. Credit: Michael Liptrot/Block Club Chicago

Sunscreen is staged for a photo at Kathy Osterman Beach in Edgewater on June 12, 2025.

A buffalo chicken sandwich and fries are served at Reggies on the Beach at 63rd Street Beach in Woodlawn on June 11, 2025. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago

The Garfield-Clarendon Model Railroad Club has called the Clarendon Park Community Center home since 1963. Credit: Madison Savedra/Block Club Chicago

The Clarendon Park Community Center reopened Monday after years of renovation. It’s now ADA-accessible, and new amenities such as air conditioning and a fitness studio. Credit: Madison Savedra/Block Club Chicago

Ald. Samantha Nugent (39th), left, Northside Learning Center Principal Elizabeth Mourtokokis, center, and King estate executor Anthony Licata, right. Credit: Molly DeVore/ Block Club Chicago