Evanston’s Independence Day Celebrations made a comeback in a big way this year, with a traditional Independence Day parade for the first time in four years.
Festivities, including the parade, were canceled because of Covid in 2020 and 2021.
The city was set to resume its Fourth of July traditions last year, but they were canceled out of an abundance of caution due to the tragic violence which occurred during Highland Park’s parade that day.
However, the parade resumed this year resplendent with the usual marching bands, antique cars, and floats. Take a look…
Evanston should consider having the 4th of July parade in other wards like the 5th ward just saying! Why is it always on central street we should all have a chance to have it in every ward.
That is a really good idea. There would be problems to work out I’m sure, but if the planners are determined to not let those problems become excuses, it could happen.
The Evanston 4th of July Association is entirely privately run by a volunteer board of directors and entirely privately funded. If you want to change the location, get involved with that group. Or you could start your own group and have a parade on a route of your choosing.
Even though I live in the fifth ward, I personally would continue to attend the parade on Central Street and continue to donate to the Evanston Fourth of July Association.
If the Evanston Fourth of July Association decided to move the parade to a different location I would not be likely to donate.
I mean Evanston claims it’s for inclusivity, the people claim they are for inclusivity you threatening to not donate if they choose a different location don’t sound like inclusivity to me!
I’m not sure what you mean. I made no “claim for inclusivity.” The reason is that it is on Central Street is because that is where the private organizers choose to hold it.
A threat from one person to not to donate to a private organization is not related at all to inclusivity. Nobody is obliged to support every non-profit organization with monetary donations.
As I alluded to in my initial post, there are no barriers to anybody in town organizing a Fourth of July parade–or any other parade for that matter.
In fact, there were two parades last month in the Fifth Ward that were organized by other local non-profits. They did the work of raising money and organizing support which is great.
If you want to organize another Fifth Ward parade and have it on July 4 (or any other date that pleases you), please go for it!
As a supporter of the Evanston Fourth of July Association, I enjoy the 100 year tradition that they have kept vibrant and I will continue to support them as long as they remain true to the tradition.
If other groups emerge to start their own parades in different locations, good luck to them.
Great to have the parade back!
“Traditional” would mean a lot more floats with kids. And no mention of Highland Park was an oversight and it wouldn’t have to be politicized about gun control.