The Fourth of July is just around the corner, and with that comes parades, family gatherings and fireworks. This year, you don’t have to venture far to experience these festivities as Chicago’s North Shore has plenty of options to choose from.
Evanston
Family-friendly Games: July 4 at 9 a.m.
Location: Baker Park, ETHS West Field, Fleetwood-Jourdain Center, Kamen Park, Lincolnwood School, Robert Crown Center and the Willard School.
The Evanston Fourth of July Association will have seven game sites starting at 9 a.m. on July 4. These games will offer ribbons to the winners and continue a more than 100-year-old tradition.
Parade: July 4, 2 p.m.
Location: East on Central Street from Central Park Ave. to Ashland Ave.
Sit and take in the sights during Evanston’s annual Fourth of July parade. The parade will take place at 2 p.m. on July 4; however, residents can start placing chairs along the parade route at 6 a.m. on July 1, according to the Evanston Fourth of July Association’s website.
Concert and Fireworks: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. for fireworks
Location: Arrington Lakefront Lagoon at Dawes Park
Enjoy a concert put on by the Palatine Concert Band at the Arrington Lakefront Lagoon at Dawes Park. The concert will be followed by fireworks, which can be seen at most of Evanston’s lakefront parks.
Glencoe
Party in the Park and fireworks: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on July 3
Location: Lakefront Park
Food trucks, inflatable and alcoholic beverages will be at Glencoe’s Lakefront Park from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on July 3. Fireworks will go off at roughly 9 p.m., according to the city’s website.
Parade: 1 p.m. on July 4
Location: Downtown Glencoe
A parade will take over the streets of Downtown Glencoe starting at 1 p.m. on July 4. The route begins at the intersection of South and Hawthorn then goes east on South, north on Vernon, east on Park, south on Village Court and eventually ending on Hazel Ave, according to the city’s website.
Wilmette
Music and Fireworks: 5 to 10 p.m. on July 3
Location: Gillson Park
Head over to Wilmette’s Gillson Park from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Musical performances will take place starting at 5 p.m. until 9:15 p.m. with appearances by country band Wild Daisy and cover band Final Say who performs works by Adele and Kelly Clarkson. Fireworks will start around 9:30 p.m., according to the Wilmette Park District.
Winnetka
Firecracker 5k Run and Parade: The run starts at 7:30 a.m. on July 4 followed by a parade at 10 a.m.
The Firecracker run is a family-friendly event along the Green Bay Trail, which is then followed by a parade, according to the Winnetka Park District’s website. The parade starts at the corner of Elm Street and Glendale Avenue and ends at Village Green Park.
Fireworks: 9:20 p.m. on July 4
The Winnetka Park District will put on its fireworks show at 9:20 p.m. on July 4. The park district’s website states there will be a viewing area at Duke Child’s Field.
Corey Schmidt is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.