Evanston is a college town suburb of Chicago, located 12 mi (19 km) north of the city. The Evanston 4th of July Celebration has always been a source of pride for the locals. The Independence Day festivities have been organized here since 1921, when a local child got injured while playing with fireworks. Then, the people of Evanston decided to form a Fourth of July Association to organize a safe celebration. Evanston Fourth of July is a fun family-friendly event, which features a parade, a fun run, a concert, and fireworks.
The festivities usually start on the morning of July 4th with games and kids' activities at playgrounds throughout Evanston. At around noon, the 4th of July Fun Run sets off on Central Street. At 2 pm, the locals and visitors gather to see the annual Independence Day Parade down Central Street. The parade boasts over 95 years of history. Its entries include marching bands, local community groups, schools, and more.
The evening entertainment program starts at around 7 pm with the Lakefront twilight concert by Palatine Concert Band. The concert ends with a spectacular fireworks display at 9:30. Fireworks are usually launched from Clark Street Beach.
