HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS | A sweet celebration

On July 4, gather with friends, family and neighbors of all ages at the home of one of Springfield’s founding families for a strawberry party. The strawberry party is an updated take on a mid-1800s tradition, and features games for children, live music by singer-songwriter Tom Irwin with Theresa O’Hare, tours of the historic 1837 Elijah Iles House, a participatory reading of the Declaration of Independence, Lincoln funeral photographs, Camp Butler exhibits and more. Cheeseburger and bratwurst platters can be purchased for $6, and hot dog platters for $5. Food items will also be available for purchase a la carte, including homemade strawberry shortcake, sundaes and daiquiris. For more information about Clara Irwin’s Strawberry Party or the Elijah Iles House, visit http://ileshouse.org.