Fourth of July celebrations in Evanston get an extra boost this year as the city marks its 150th anniversary.
There’ll be games for kids in the morning and early afternoon Thursday, the traditional parade down Central Street at 2 p.m., and a band concert and fireworks display in the evening at Dawes Park on the lakefront.
Playground games and activities in the morning will include frisbee, 25-yard race, 40-yard race, 60-yard race, penny scramble, jump rope, pie eating contests and more at nine locations around town.
The half-mile Kids Fun Run will be held at 12:45 p.m. at Ackerman Park, Central Street at McDaniel Avenue. The event is available to children 12 years of age and under. A $10 registration fee includes a t-shirt to the first 300 kids registered plus finish line refreshments. On-site registration starts at noon.
The Central Street parade runs from Central Park Avenue to Ryan Field.
The Palatine Concert Band will perform from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Dawes Park and the lakefront fireworks start at 9:15 p.m. Clark Street Beach will be closed all day Thursday to prepare for fireworks show.
Evanston Fourth of July Program
You can see the official Evanston Fourth of July Program here.