CHAMPAIGN — Wayne Weber is far from new to the Champaign County Freedom Celebration — he's been driving his cars in it for 47 years.

Last year, he led the parade and chauffeured Olympic speedskater — and the 2010 grand marshal — Katherine Reutter in his 1949 Chrysler Town and Country. But this year, someone else will be driving the parade's lead car, Weber's 1953 Buick Roadmaster Skylark.

That's because he'll be too busy riding in the back as this year's grand marshal.

The Worden Martin assistant chairman said he is honored to be chosen as the head of this year's celebration, for which the theme is "Discovering New Frontiers."

But at least for Weber, the parade route is a well-trodden path.

"It's always fun," Weber said. "I've got a bunch of old convertibles, and I've had them in the parades for years."

The Buick Skylark will not be the only car he has in this year's parade. Following somewhere behind him will be his 1966 Lincoln Continental and 1985 Buick Riviera convertible. Weber owns six collector cars, "and that's enough," he said.

He most looks forward to seeing veterans being honored and the younger gazers admiring the flag.

"It's multi-generational, and I'm proud of that," Weber said.

Margaret Givens, the board president of the committee that organizes the Freedom Celebration, could not remember how long Weber has been involved with the parade, but she knew it was time to recognize him.

"He's been a big part of the celebration, but he's also very active in the community," Givens said.

Givens herself is no newbie to the Freedom Celebration — her father has served as the general chair of the organizing committee, and she hopes her children will take up the responsibilities when she lets go of her role.

The Freedom Celebration is now in its 61st year, and organizers examined the previous 60 as they were choosing its theme, Givens said. "Discovering New Frontiers," has never been used before, and the board believed it reflected the pool of knowledge and advancements that have been made in Champaign County, particularly at the University of Illinois.

"When we came up with that theme, it was because the local community is full of new discoveries," Givens said.

Other than the theme, the schedule of this year's Fourth of July events is similar to previous celebrations: At about 1 p.m., the parade will proceed from Assembly Hall near First Street and Kirby Avenue in Champaign to the intersection of California and Lincoln avenues in Urbana. Entertainment at Dodds Park begins at 7 p.m., and the fireworks start around 9:15 p.m.

The music that will play during the fireworks show will be simulcast on four FM radio frequencies, said Josh Laskowski, the publicity coordinator for the event.

The parade will be replayed on UPTV Channel 6 at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

Traffic is usually an issue before and after the fireworks. Champaign police Sgt. Scott Friedlein advises that spectators arrive as early as they can.

"The earlier they get there, the more likely they are to get a parking spot," Friedlein said.

After the event, 45 officers from six departments will direct traffic at intersections as far as two miles from Dodds Park, Friedlein said.

Aside from the Freedom Celebration, Champaign County residents are expected to hold their own personal events — and that likely means people will be using fireworks.

Some small fireworks are legal in Champaign, Friedlein said. Sparklers, small noise makers and some smoke devices are OK.

But he says stay away from the others.

"If it bangs, has a fuse and goes 'boom,' it's probably illegal," Friedlein said.

Schedule of events

— 9:30 a.m.: Registration for Youth Run and 5K Race-Walk (east side of Assembly Hall on Fourth Street)

— 10:30 a.m.: Youth Run (east side of Assembly Hall on Fourth Street)

— 11:05 a.m.: 5K Race-Walk (east side of the Assembly Hall on Fourth Street)

— 1:05 p.m.: Parade (starts near First Street and Kirby Avenue and ends at Lincoln and California avenues)

— 7 p.m.: Evening Entertainment (Captain Rat and the Blind Rivets will play at Dodds Park, near Mattis and Bradley avenues)

— 9:15 p.m.: Fireworks (approximate start time at Dodds Park)

— 9:45 p.m.: Post-fireworks entertainment (Captain Rat and the Blind Rivets will resume playing at Dodds Park)