The Evanston Fourth of July Association, in cooperation with the City of Evanston, sponsored their annual 4th of July festivities while officials reflect on the impact left by last years shooting in Highland Park.
“This year’s 4th of July festivities are special as we recognize 100 years of Evanston 4th of July Association Independence Day celebrations,” Evanston City Manager Luke Stowe said. “The parade theme, ‘Community United Cannot Be Divided,’ touches on why it’s important, now more than ever, to come together to celebrate this milestone.”
The Evanston Fourth of July Association — according to its website — is a nonprofit organization formed over 100 years ago after a child was injured while playing with fireworks. After this accident, parents joined together in 1922 to offer a safe and supervised July 4 celebration.
This legacy was thrown for a loop last year after a shooting killed seven parade attendees in nearby Highland Park. Nearly all neighboring communities, including Evanston, canceled their holiday events in response to the then ongoing search for the shooter. Mayor Daniel Biss said in a letter to residents that after an epidemic of isolation, celebrating together on July 4 isn’t just a fun way to spend a holiday but a necessary part of rebuilding the social fabric that we’ve lost and urgently need returned.
“Evanston’s July Fourth festivities are a cherished tradition in the first place, and coming on the heels of several years of canceled events, the 2023 version promises to be especially meaningful for our whole community,” he said. “The tragedy that occurred in Highland Park last Independence Day will doubtless be on all of our minds, but I believe that the best way to react to that pain is for people to come together, celebrate collectively, and support one another.”
The celebration began with morning games and a half-mile Fun Run for children, ages 10 and younger.
Morning games took place at seven Evanston-area family playgrounds, and included Frisbee, jump rope competitions, sack races, pie and watermelon eating contests and more.
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The parade kicked off at 2 p.m., traveling East down Central Street to Ashland Avenue, followed by an evening concert featured fireworks and a performance by the Palatine Concert Band, at Arrington Lakefront Lagoon at Dawes Park from 7:30 to 9 p.m.
Candace Davis, Indivisible Evanston Co-Leader marched in the parade this year.
“We are proud to march and to celebrate a long history of community and what it stands for including freedom for all people to choose their own path and to be free of fear, hate and need,” Davis said.
Lead Pastor, Darrell Goenn of the Black Pastors and Leaders Association took part in the historic parade.
“On the Fourth of July, we celebrate our hope for the future, that our community will uphold values like inclusion and kindness,” Goenn said.
Angela Valavanis of the Woman’s Club of Evanston marched in the parade.
“The Woman’s Club of Evanston has been around for as long as this parade, and we are here to celebrate our shared history in the community, and the importance of coming together in unity,” Valavanis said.
According to 2023 Parade Grand Marshal Bruce Baumberger, when all is said and done, the 4th of July Parade in Evanston represents the diversity, inclusion and the values of Evanstonians, and has become a heartwarming experience for parade participants and spectators.
Gina Grillo is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.