Westmont unveils expanded July programming; Grand Funk Railroad to headline Taste of Westmont

Mayor Nero announced at the April 30 Westmont Village Board meeting that the village will expand its summer programming to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary and the town’s Taste of Westmont festival. He said the village will stage a larger fireworks and drone show on July 4 in partnership with the park district and hold Taste of Westmont July 9–12, with mainstage entertainment on July 11 and 12.

The announcement matters to downtown businesses and residents because the mayor said the events will draw large crowds. "On July 11th and 12th is the Taste of Westmont. So we have a week-long celebration for America," Mayor Nero said, and encouraged downtown merchants to prepare for heavy foot traffic.

Mayor Nero named Mark Farner, the former lead singer of Grand Funk Railroad, as a Saturday headliner and described a Sunday night country-themed program. "We're doing a bigger, better fireworks show and drone show with the park district on July 4th," he added. The mayor said the events are intended to be celebratory and drew attention to the festival’s potential economic boost for downtown merchants.

Village staff said full event details and the official schedule will be published on the village website the day after the meeting. Organizers asked residents to monitor westmontevents.com and the village website for volunteer sign-ups and event information.