Left, in orange, ETHS clarinet musician Lena Kahouadji of Evanston performs with the combined ETHS Wildkit Marching Band and the Northwestern University “Wildcat” Marching Band at the annual ‘Kits, ‘Cats and Kids Block Party on Sept. 1, 2026 at the Evanston Township High School Lazier Field in Evanston. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
Despite full sun and nearly 90 degrees, the annual ‘Kits, ‘Cats and Kids Block Party took place on Sept. 1 at Evanston Township High School (ETHS) Lazier Field in Evanston.
The outdoor Tuesday late-afternoon celebration included local elementary, high school, and university students and families, offering a positive experience at a free back-to-school party.
Far right, a person stays hydrated in part due to the free water station at the annual ‘Kits, ‘Cats and Kids Block Party on Sept. 1, 2026 at the Evanston Township High School Lazier Field in Evanston. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
Attendees could experience community tables, games, arts and crafts, family activities, disc jockey music, free books, treats, and inflatables to jump on.
Food trucks parked on the west side of the event premises offered fare for purchase such as hot dogs. But a tent was also set up, which offered complimentary sandwiches and snacks including string cheese, chips, and juice. Staff members placed the plastic boxed sandwiches in coolers on ice due to the extreme heat index.
The ETHS Wildkit Marching Band and the Northwestern University “Wildcat” Marching Band arrived to the pep rally by making their grand musical entrance by using the south sidewalk along Church Street and safely making it across the street with crossing guard assistance.
A large stage was set up again for disc jockey music and speakers.
Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss told the audience, “What a joy.
“It’s going to be an unusually great school year because we are celebrating a new school,” Biss said. “Welcome to Foster School, part of an exciting transformation in this community, so we have a lot of work to do together.
“I wish everybody a safe year, and I wish everybody a fun year and everybody a successful year,” the mayor added.
Find out more about Foster Elementary School in Evanston’s Fifth Ward at https://www.district65.net/register/student-assignment/student-assignment-planning-sap/foster-school.
Marcus A. Campbell, superintendent of Evanston Township High School District 202, told the audience, also from the stage, “We are starting another school year for these three… world-class institutions, Northwestern University, District 202 and District 65.
“We look forward to a fantastic school year,” Campbell added. “We look forward to a great partnership.”
Head football coach at Northwestern University David Braun also appeared on stage, saying, “This community, and specifically Evanston, and the Northwestern community, is truly a really special place.
“My hope and prayer for Northwestern football is we would be a reason for this community to continue to come together,” Braun said. “There are so many great things about this community.”
Center, applying face paint to Nora Dyzenhaus, 7, a second-grader from Evanston is Hunys Wambo, an ETHS senior from Evanston, at the annual ‘Kits, ‘Cats and Kids Block Party on Sept. 1, 2026 at the Evanston Township High School Lazier Field in Evanston. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
The annual ‘Kits, ‘Cats and Kids Block Party on Sept. 1, 2026 at the Evanston Township High School Lazier Field in Evanston. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss talks to children along with their family at the annual ‘Kits, ‘Cats and Kids Block Party on Sept. 1, 2026 at the Evanston Township High School Lazier Field in Evanston. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
Head football coach at Northwestern University David Braun addresses the audience at the annual ‘Kits, ‘Cats and Kids Block Party on Sept. 1, 2026 at the Evanston Township High School Lazier Field in Evanston. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
Left, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss talks to children with this family at the annual ‘Kits, ‘Cats and Kids Block Party on Sept. 1, 2026 at the Evanston Township High School Lazier Field in Evanston. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
Free sandwich meals with juice boxes are available at the annual ‘Kits, ‘Cats and Kids Block Party on Sept. 1, 2026 at the Evanston Township High School Lazier Field in Evanston. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
Seated, staffing the Young Black+Lit table is Krenice Ramsey of Evanston at the annual ‘Kits, ‘Cats and Kids Block Party on Sept. 1, 2026 at the Evanston Township High School Lazier Field in Evanston. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
From front to left, Victoria Sefen of Potomac, Maryland, Bryce Lorenzo of Brooklyn, New York and Alyse Playko of Columbus, Ohio perform with Northwestern University’s cheerleading team during the annual ‘Kits, ‘Cats and Kids Block Party on Sept. 1, 2026 at the Evanston Township High School Lazier Field in Evanston. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
The combined ETHS Wildkit Marching Band and the Northwestern University “Wildcat” Marching Band perform at the annual ‘Kits, ‘Cats and Kids Block Party on Sept. 1, 2026 at the Evanston Township High School Lazier Field in Evanston. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss addresses the audience at the annual ‘Kits, ‘Cats and Kids Block Party on Sept. 1, 2026 at the Evanston Township High School Lazier Field in Evanston. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
The ETHS Student Activities table is among the line of community tables at the annual ‘Kits, ‘Cats and Kids Block Party on Sept. 1, 2026 at the Evanston Township High School Lazier Field in Evanston. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
Shading son Nhien Tang, 9 months, is parent Kim Ly of Evanston at the annual ‘Kits, ‘Cats and Kids Block Party on Sept. 1, 2026 at the Evanston Township High School Lazier Field in Evanston. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
Here to explain the benefits of voting is, center, in red shirt, Vanessa Calloway of Evanston at the Evanston-North Shore Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. community table at the annual ‘Kits, ‘Cats and Kids Block Party on Sept. 1, 2026 at the Evanston Township High School Lazier Field in Evanston. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
The ETHS Wildkit Marching Band arrives to the event premises during the annual ‘Kits, ‘Cats and Kids Block Party on Sept. 1, 2026 at the Evanston Township High School Lazier Field in Evanston. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
Alyse Playko of Columbus, Ohio performs with Northwestern University’s cheerleading team during the annual ‘Kits, ‘Cats and Kids Block Party on Sept. 1, 2026 at the Evanston Township High School Lazier Field in Evanston. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
The Northwestern University “Wildcat” Marching Band dances and shows Wildcat paws for impact while arriving to the event premises during the annual ‘Kits, ‘Cats and Kids Block Party on Sept. 1, 2026 at the Evanston Township High School Lazier Field in Evanston. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
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Center, applying face paint to Nora Dyzenhaus, 7, a second-grader from Evanston is Hunys Wambo, an ETHS senior from Evanston, at the annual ‘Kits, ‘Cats and Kids Block Party on Sept. 1, 2026 at the Evanston Township High School Lazier Field in Evanston. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
Nora Dyzenhaus, 7, a second-grader from Evanston, was among many children who had their faces painted by ETHS Student Activities teen volunteers. Nora’s design was a pink feline-looking face.
Nora’s mother, Maria Dyzenhaus, said about the pep
rally, “This is an awesome activity to bring all the people together from different ages and schools and it’s really a fun time.”
