Officials in Elgin, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates and Hanover Township say they've been hard hit by the economic downturn.
But instead of scaling back or even cancelling their celebrations they got together for The Northwest Fourth-Fest.
In the west suburbs, a revolutionary war re-enactment was part of the fun at Wheaton's Cantigny Park.
Families also had a chance to try their hand at playing 18th century games.