The Evanston Fourth of July Association is planning a terrific Independence Day celebration, with fun, healthy activities all day and evening. Events will begin at 9 a.m. with family playground activities in eight locations and indoor roller skating at Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center.
Schedule of Playground Games
PLEASE NOTE: The Elks Park activities have been cancelled.
North Evanston will be home to a Fun Run, tennis tournament finals and the award-winning parade. Children age 12 and younger are invited to take part in the half-mile Kids Fun Run. Registration is from noon to 12:30 p.m.; the run starts at 12:45 p.m. at Ackerman Park, Central St. and McDaniel Ave. The $10 registration fee includes a T-shirt, race bib, and yoga to the first 200 kids registered, plus finish line refreshments. Proceeds benefit the Evanston Fourth of July Association.
The finals of the citywide tennis tournament will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ackerman Park. The award-winning parade begins at 2 p.m. at Central St. at Central Park Ave. and travels east to Ryan Field. Lawn chairs may be placed along Central street beginning at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, July 1, in accordance with City ordinance. The 2014 parade theme is, “Independence Day the Evanston Way.”
The free concert by the Palatine Concert Band will be held from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. just south of the lagoon in Dawes Park along the lakefront. The concert will be audible in Centennial and Dawes Park and on FM 90.5. At about 9:15 p.m., fireworks set to music will be launched; tune in to FM 90.5.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to major construction at the lagoon in Dawes Park and the fireworks safety zone, seating and viewing space in Dawes and Centennial Parks will be very limited (see red and orange zones on map below; click to enlarge). Lakefront visitors are encouraged to listen to the concert and view the fireworks from other locations this year! Other viewing areas include the Dempster St. Beach area, Greenwood Beach area, Clark Square Park, Lee Street Beach area, Lighthouse Beach area, and the South Blvd. Beach area. A very limited number of handicap parking spaces are available in the Dawes Park parking lot.
For more information, visit evanston4th.org.
The Evanston 4th of July Celebration is organized by the Evanston 4th of July Association — a private, volunteer group. All aspects of the celebration are funded by voluntary contributions from businesses and individuals.
Holiday Schedule
Find information about refuse collection, parking, facilities, 311 and more. City of Evanston Independence Day Holiday Schedule >>>