EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - Community members and visitors can enjoy fun activities, a parade, fireworks and much more on Wednesday, July 4 as part of the Evanston Fourth of July Association’s Independence Day celebration.

Playground Activities
Events will begin at 9 a.m. with roller skating and refreshments at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, located at 1655 Foster St., and family playground activities at seven Evanston locations: Lincolnwood School, 2600 Colfax St.; Willard School, 2700 Hurd Ave.; Robert Crown Center, 1701 Main St.; Kamen East Park, South Boulevard and Barton Avenue; Baker Park, Forest Avenue and Keeney Street; ETHS Track Area, 1600 Dodge Ave.; and Raymond Park, Chicago Avenue and Lake Street. Playground activities include Frisbee, jump rope competitions, sack races, pie eating contests, soccer ball kick for distance competitions, and more. Visit evanston4th.org/activities for more information.

Fun Run
Children age 12 years and younger are invited to take part in the half-mile Evanston 4th of July Kids Fun Run. Participants can register online or on race day from noon to 12:30 p.m. The run begins at 12:45 p.m. at Ackerman Park, located at Central Street and McDaniel Avenue. The $10 registration fee includes a t-shirt and packet to the first 200 registered, plus finish line refreshments. All proceeds benefit the Evanston Fourth of July Association.

Tennis Tournament
The finals of the citywide tennis tournament managed by the Evanston Community Tennis Association will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ackerman Park.

Parade
The award-winning Evanston 4th of July Parade begins at 2 p.m. on Central Street at Central Park Avenue and travels east to Ashland Avenue. The 2018 parade theme is "Inspired By Our Diversity."

Lawn chairs may be placed on the parkway along Central Street beginning at 6 a.m. on Sunday, July 1, in accordance with City ordinance. Chairs and blankets are not permitted on sidewalks or in the right-of-way. 

Concert & Fireworks
The Palatine Concert Band will perform from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Arrington Lakefront Lagoon at Dawes Park, located at Sheridan Road and Church Street. Lakefront fireworks set to music will begin at approximately 9:30 p.m.; tune in to FM 90.5. Fireworks are visible from most lakefront parks.

Free parking will be available in downtown Evanston public parking garages. Visit cityofevanston.org/residents/parking/lots-and-garages for locations and more information.

Throughout the day, the Evanston Police Department will be providing updates regarding traffic, parking and more on Twitter. Follow @EvanstonPD.

Community members are encouraged to share photos of the festivities on social media using #ETown4th.

The Evanston 4th of July Celebration is organized by the Evanston Fourth of July Association, a private, volunteer group. All aspects of the celebration are funded by voluntary contributions from businesses and individuals. For more information, visit evanston4th.org.