From the Carmi Chief of Police, Jason Carter.
Traffic patterns have been established for this year’s fireworks display, scheduled for Saturday night, July 4, 2026, beginning between 9:00 and 9:15 pm. The pattern will be essentially the same as in years past. At 8:50 pm, the set traffic patterns will go into effect. That includes closing southbound traffic on Oak Street to Fairground Road and closing northbound traffic from Main to Fairground Road.
ALL entrances to the Fairground will be blocked off again this year. There will not be any vehicles or pedestrians allowed inside the Fairground during the fireworks display. Any persons or vehicles located inside will be asked to leave by Carmi Police or Carmi Fire Personnel prior to the start of the fireworks. Vehicles will still be allowed to park around the outside fencing of the Fairgrounds as in years past.
Following the fireworks display, all traffic exiting onto Fairground Road will be turned North and South on Fairground Road.
All traffic exiting from Fairground Road onto Oak Street will be turned Eastbound only.
Traffic from Oak Street will not be allowed to turn South onto Fairground Road during this time.
Traffic from April Avenue to Main Street will be allowed to turn East onto Main Street only.
Traffic on Main Street will not be allowed to enter Fairground Road during this time.
Southbound traffic from Fairground Road will be allowed to turn West on Main Street only.
Any vehicles parked in the grassy area along Main Street will be directed to join the westbound flow of traffic on Main Street.
The traffic signals at Main and Fairground will be set to flash red just prior to the end of the fireworks display and all rules that would apply to stop signs will be applicable.
Motorists are reminded to watch for and obey all directions from Carmi Police officers, Carmi Auxiliary Officers, and local Carmi Fire units. Although this may sound confusing, it’s a pattern that has worked well for the past several years. This traffic routing system is in place to enable the safest and quickest exiting of traffic from the event area.
A reminder to Carmi residents, fireworks are dangerous and could cause serious injury or death. Most fireworks are illegal in Illinois. Basically a good rule of thumb is if it’s labeled as a firework and makes any type of loud noise or explodes, it’s probably going to be illegal in Illinois. Most of these items are readily accessible in neighboring states. However, they are illegal to possess and use in Illinois. Carmi Police will respond to complaints of fireworks as they are received. We just want citizens to understand they are illegal to possess. If officers respond, those person(s) are subject to all fireworks being confiscated and a citation could be issued. Depending on the amount of fireworks an individual has, it could be classified as a Class A Misdemeanor.
As a reminder if you are celebrating with alcohol involved, the Carmi Police Department wants to remind everyone to please be responsible and not drink and drive. Make sure there is a designated driver present. They want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July holiday weekend!