To mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of Evanston, the City of Evanston is partnering with the Evanston 4th of July Association to bring residents an expanded array of activities for this year’s Independence Day celebration.
Nine locations around Evanston will be set up to entertain the young and young at heart. In addition to playground games and activities, there’ll also be a Kids Fun Run.
The half-mile Fun Run will be held at 12:45 p.m. on July 4 at Ackerman Park, at Central Street and 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. Proceeds benefit the Fourth of July Association. Register online or on race day at the park from noon to 12:30 p.m. This event is part of the Let’s Move! Race Series.
The parade down Central Street will kick-off at 2 p.m. at Central Park Avenue and travel east to Ryan Field at Ashland Avenue.
Under a city ordinance lawn chairs may be placed along the parade route no sooner than 6 a.m. on July 1.
The Palatine Concert Band will perform from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in Dawes Park at Sheridan Road and Church Street.
Lakefront fireworks will be at 9:15 p.m. with a Musical Extravaganza! Tune your radio to 90.5 FM. Fireworks are visible from most lakefront parks.
Playground games and activities will include frisbee, 25 yard race, 40 yard race, 60 yard race, penny scramble, jump rope, pie eating contests and more.
Locations and times for the games are:
- Lincolnwood School, 2600 Colfax St., 9 a.m.–noon;
- Willard School, 2700 Hurd Ave., 9 a.m.–noon;
- Robert Crown Center, 1701 Main St., 9 a.m.–noon;
- Kamen Park-east, South Boulevard at Asbury Avenue, 9-11 a.m.;
- Baker Park, Forest Avenue at Keeney Street , 9-11 a.m.;
- Raymond Park, Chicago Avenue at Lake Street, 9-11 a.m.;
- Elks Park, Callan Avenue at Mulford Street, 9-11 a.m.;
- ML King Lab School, 2424 Lake St., 9-11 a.m.;
- Fleetwood-Jourdain Center, 1655 Foster St., 9-11 a.m. (roller skating only & refreshments).
The Evanston 4th of July Association is seeking volunteers for this year’s Independence Day events. This year marks the association’s 92nd celebration.
City holiday schedule
The Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center will be closed July 4-7 for the Independence Day holiday.
The Evanston 3-1-1 Call Center will be open July 4 with the extended hours of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. It will be open July 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
All Evanston Public Library facilities will be closed July 4-5.
The Chandler-Newberger Center, Ecology Center and the Noyes Cultural Arts Centers will be closed July 4. On July 5, the buildings will be open for programs.
Fleetwood-Jourdain Center and Robert Crown Center are sites for family activities the morning of July 4, but the offices will be closed. On July 5, the buildings will be open for programs.
The Levy Senior Center will be closed July 4-5.
The City of Evanston summer food program will not be held on July 4.
On July 4 there will be no solid waste, recycling or yard waste pick-ups. Solid waste and yard waste, picked up by Groot, will be one day later. Recycling crews will double up their routes and Thursday’s collections will be picked up Friday. Friday’s condominium collections will remain unchanged.