Happy Friday and Fourth weekend to you!
This Weekender edition goes a bit farther than most most weeks as we include the many festivities taking place around Evanston on Monday, July 4. There is so much going on. So, please enjoy the long holiday weekend!
Friday, July 1
Evanston Public Library’s Teen DIY Day
Come to the Loft to make cool stuff. Drop-in crafts available throughout the summer. Grades 6-12.
9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
First Friday at Mason Park
As a part of Evanston’s My City, Your City, Our City initiative, enjoy free food, activities, yard games and raffle prizes.
6 to 9 p.m., Mason Park
Saturday, July 2
Downtown Evanston Farmers’ Market
Enjoy live music, flowers, coffee and baked goods while shopping for locally grown produce. Parking lot at University Avenue and Oak Street (behind Hilton Garden Inn).
7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Evanston Art Center’s I Am A Human Exhibition
I Am A Human is an exhibition of artists from underrepresented groups of the North Shore and Chicagoland area. They bring their own visual perspective and concepts of how empathy coexists with us as Americans. Evanston Art Center, 1717 Central St.
Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fishing at Lovelace Park
This free and popular program is a great way to introduce children four and up to “catch and release” fishing. Equipment and expertise are provided. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
10 a.m. – noon
Studio 3 Community Art Studio & Gallery Open Studio
Studio 3’s Open Studio days are created to make art materials and a creative makers space available to all in our community. All ages welcome.
10 a.m. – noon
Sievert Prize Particle Physics Lecture
Northwestern University’s Physics and Astronomy Department hosts a lecture every Saturday throughout the summer and it’s free and open to the public. Ford Motor Company Engineering Design Center, 2133 Sheridan Road.
11 a.m. to noon
First Staturday Art Events sponsored by Evanston Made
Shop for local artwork at various locations throughout Evanston.
24 Hour Charity Basketball Game in memory of Ryan Bost
ETHS Beardsley Gym, Entrance #3 behind the school and parking is available.
5 p.m. tip off.
Sunday, July 3
Craig Thompson Evanston Jr. Wildkits Football Day
This football-themed event at Evanston Township High School’s Lazier Field highlights the benefits of youth sports and celebrate Evanston’s football history.
Noon – 3 p.m.
Honoring Judge Lionel Jean-Baptiste — two events.
- Come to the street naming ceremony for Judge Lionel Jean-Baptiste Way, honoring the former Second Ward alderman. At McDaniel Avenue and Crain Street.
3 p.m. - Starlight Concert in honor of Judge Lionel Jean-Baptiste featuring the Indika Reggae Band at Harbert-Payne Park.5:30 p.m.
Monday, July 4
Haitian Community Organization Festival.
Enjoy a free live music concert, Caribbean food, soccer and basketball tournaments, face painting and more at James Park, 300 Dodge Ave.
2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Evanston 4th of July Association celebrates 100 years!
Unlike many Independence Day celebrations in other cities, the festivities in Evanston are produced entirely by the all-volunteer, community-funded Evanston Fourth of July Association. No tax dollars are used for the actual production of the sports activities, parade, twilight band concert or fireworks. The following list are all the events planned for this centennial celebration. Thank you, Evanston 4th of July Association!
9 a.m. through to the fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
July 4th Morning games: Morning games are a tradition that has been going on for 100 years. Free family-friendly games and events bring neighbors together for fun, competition and social interactions at seven different sites. From sack races to egg tosses to running and pie eating, there is something for everyone.
9-11 a.m. at these four parks:
- Baker Park: Forest Avenue and Keeney Street
- ETHS West Field: (south end, behind the high school by ball diamond) 1600 Dodge Ave.
- Fleetwood-Jourdain Center: 1655 Foster St.
- Kamen Park – East: (Ridgeville Park District), South Boulevard and Barton Avenue
9 a.m.- noon at these three parks
- Lincolnwood School: 2600 Colfax St., McDaniel Avenue and Grant Street
- Robert Crown Center: 1701 Main St., Main & Dodge
- Willard School – 2700 Hurd Ave., Central Park & Park Place
July 4th Fun Run for children under 10.
Preregister for $15 a child and pick-up your packet at noon. Register on race day is $20 a child and begins at noon. The route is seven-tenths of a mile and starts on Central Street at Ackerman Park (McDaniel Avenue and Central Street). Runners head west on Central Street to Fire Station 5, turn around and return to Ackerman Park. Registered runner get a T-shirt, bib and ribbon.
Refreshments available.
Register at noon. Running starts at 12:45 p.m.
July 4th Parade
It starts at 2 p.m. on Central Street (from Central Park Avenue to Ryan Field at Ashland Avenue). If you’d like to march with the RoundTable, please join us wearing your red, white and blue best at 1:30 p.m. when we line up across from Bent Park at Central Street between Highland and Prospect avenues. (RSVP to Carolyn@EvanstonRoundTable.com and we will send any details.)
July 4th Band Concert
Palatine Concert Band. Arrington Lakefront Lagoon at Dawes Park.
7:30 – 9 p.m.
July 4th Lakefront Fireworks
Settle in along the lakefront and tune your radio to 90.5 FM for the accompanying music.
9:30 p.m.
Check out the RoundTable Calendar for more upcoming events.