Marching bands stirred excitement on their way down Harlem Avenue in Glenview, kids raced for candy tossed from floats and large crowds applauded marching units that displayed an America 250 theme during Glenview’s July Fourth parade, which kicked off at 11:20 a.m. Saturday.
While the word “semiquincentennial” was a little too long to squeeze onto a banner, some parade units featured signs prominently featuring 250, the number of years since America’s forefathers declared the new nation in 1776.
Three days of heavy thunderstorms, with more on the way, cast doubt on whether Chicago suburbs would even be able to hold parades and fireworks.
Northbrook cancelled its 4 p.m. parade before threatening clouds unleashed rain over the area.
On July 3, Wilmette cancelled its holiday activities in Gillson Park, which included live music and fireworks.
Also on July 3, Park Ridge started its fireworks at 8:10 p.m., when the sky was still light, to a thinner-than-usual crowd. The show finished before rain began to pour.
Evanston cancelled a concert at Arrington Lagoon due to the pooling of water at the site, according to a social media post from city government. It also ended the parade at 3:45 when lightning was noted 10 miles from Evanston in order to give parade-watchers time to get to safe locations, it said.
Winnetka cancelled its pre-fireworks activities and closed Duke Childs field until 8:30 p.m., an hour before fireworks were due to start, per an email notice.
The Skokie Park District noted that face painting and the bounce house were cancelled but the fireworks were scheduled to go on at 9:30.
With the rain ceasing by Saturday evening, however, many suburbs went on with their fireworks as planned.
