There’s always lots to do in the north suburbs for the Fourth of July holiday—from parades to family activities, to fireworks and more. This year marks a milestone because the nation is also celebrating its 250th anniversary.
Here are festivities planned for the north suburbs for July 3 and 4.
Evanston
You can keep busy in Evanston all day on July 4, starting with morning games, 9 to 11:30 a.m., at five locations: Lincolnwood Elementary School, 2600 Colfax St.; Willard Elementary School, 2700 Hurd Ave.; Kamen Park, 1111 South Blvd.; Baker Park, 605 Forest Ave.; and Robert Crown Community Center, 1801 Main St.
You can also score some excitement at tennis finals from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ackerman Park, 2500 Central St.
A Kids’ Fun Run starts at 12:45 p.m. at Ackerman Park, 2500 Central St.
If you love a parade, you won’t want to miss Evanston’s big one, starting at 2 p.m. at Central Park Avenue, traveling east on Central Street to Ryan Field at Ashland Avenue.
Evening activities begin with a Palatine Concert Band Concert from 7:30 to 9 p.m. by the Arrington Lakefront Lagoon at Dawes Park, 1700 Sheridan Rd.
The full day of activities concludes with lakefront fireworks and a musical extravaganza at 9:30 p.m.
Glencoe
There will be two days of celebration in Glencoe, starting with Red, White and Bike Decorating from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. July 3 at Wyman Green, 310 Park Ave. The Glencoe Public Library hosts this event. Take a selfie with the library’s book bike while you trim your bike with streamers, flags, and more.
The Glencoe Park District is hosting a Party in the Park, 5 to 10 p.m. July 3 at Lakefront Park, 99 Park Ave. There will be games, inflatables, live music and food trucks.
The party ends with fireworks at 9 p.m.
The celebration continues on July 4 with a Fun Run at 8 a.m. The race is free but advance registration is encouraged.
There will be Family Games from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Kalk Park, 260 Park Ave. Wacky games and patriotic fun are promised.
At 11 a.m. on July 4, there will be an America 250 Commemorative Tree Dedication at the Glencoe Train Station.
From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Kalk Park, you can compete in a Fourth of July Bags Tournament.
The Independence Day Parade & Music starts at 1 p.m. July 4 at South and Hawthorn and heads east, ending at Hazel Avenue.
Glenview
A bike parade starts at 11:15 a.m. at Jackman Park, 1011 Lehigh Ave., and the July 4 parade begins at 11:20 a.m. at Harlem and Glenview Roads.
Twilight Fireworks at Gallery Park, 2001 Patriot Blvd. will begin at 6 p.m. with music by a DJ and food vendors. The Glenview Concert Band will perform at 7 p.m., followed by fireworks at 9:20 p.m.
Northbrook
Northbrook Independence Day events are organized by the Northbrook 4th of July Committee and start at 7:30 a.m. with the Liberty Loop 5K Run/Walk at Techny Prairie Park & Fields, 1750 Techny Rd. At 8:30 a.m., there’s a Liberty Lap Fun Run at Techny Prairie Park & Fields, which is a one-mile modified run for junior joggers. Young runners receive a T-shirt, gift bag, and mini American flag at the finish line.’
The Northbrook 4th of July Parade begins at 4 p.m. west of Westmoor School, 2500 Cherry Lane, and ends at Village Hall, 1225 Cedar Lane.
Starting at 7 p.m. there will be a DJ at the Ed Rudolph Velodrome at Meadowhill Park, 1479 Maple Ave. That will be followed by fireworks at the Velodrome.
Skokie
The July Fourth event lineup starts at noon with the annual parade. At 6:30 p.m., the action moves to Niles West High School on Oakton Street, west of the Edens Expressway, with live music, family activities, and a fireworks show after dusk.
Wilmette
Wilmette celebrates on July 3, starting at 8 a.m. with the Yankee Doodle Dash 5K, starting and ending in Gillson Park, 800 Gillson Park Drive. Registration is $40.
The Centennial Pools, 2300 Old Glenview Rd., will be open from 2 until 6 p.m. for a Star Spangled Splash. There will be carnival games, face painting, a bounce house, and more. Free family activities in Centennial Park from 1 until 3 p.m.
The entertainment continues at Gillson Park from 5 to 10 p.m. with food vendors, live music, and a fireworks show.
Winnetka
Get off to an early start on the July Fourth at 7:30 a.m. at the Firecracker 5K Run along the Green Bay Trail, starting at 130 Wilson St. Race check-in begins at 7 a.m. and the race runs rain or shine.
You’ll be finished in time to see the 10 a.m. parade which starts at the corner of Elm Street and Glendale Avenue and ends at Village Green Park at 525 Maple St.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. there will be events on the green at Village Green Park, including a flag-raising ceremony, children’s flag parade, and family foot races. Compete for the family trophy.
There will also be games, inflatables, rides, balloon artists and face-painting.
The evening’s events, starting at 7 p.m., will include a concert by Talk of the Town and a performance by the Jesse White Tumblers at Duke Child’s Field, 1321 Willow Road. That’s also the best place to view the fireworks at 9:20 p.m.
Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
