Thursday, June 25, 2026 | View in browser
Good afternoon,
Read below for information about the annual Food Truck Fest & Starlight Movie, the Mayor's State of the City recap, weekend events, and more!
 Eat, Drink & Be Hamilton!🎶
Kick off the weekend at Evanston's Food Truck Fest on Friday, starting at 5:30 p.m., with vendors serving everything from El Zorro Tacos and Soul & Smoke to C&W Ice Cream and Pop Shop Dirty Sodas, plus beer and wine for purchase from the City. Then at 6:30 p.m., settle in under the stars for a free screening of Hamilton, the legendary hip-hop/Broadway mashup filmed live at New York's Richard Rodgers Theater. Bring your lawn chairs and get ready for an unforgettable Friday night at Ingraham Park, 2100 Ridge Ave.
 Click image to play video.
Mayor Biss' 2026 State of the City Address
Introduced by Evanston Latinos Director Ricardo Villalobos, Mayor Biss delivered his State of the City at Evanston SPACE on June 23. During the speech, he reflected on his five-year tenure and announced he will resign on October 18 to run for Congress. He also spoke about the City's challenges, successes, and hopes for the future.
View the speech: A full recording is available on the City's YouTube channel and will air on Channel 16.
View the City's 2025 Annual Report: The City's digital 2025 Annual Report is available at cityofevanston.org/annualreports.
 Get out and enjoy the weekend with local events!
Drop off, drive off, done! The City’s "Evanston Recycles" event returns on Sat., June 27, from 9 a.m. to noon at ETHS. This free, “drive-up, drop-off” event offers residents the opportunity to recycle electronics, securely shred documents, and dispose of unused medications.
Main Street Fair is back and bigger than ever: The Main Street Fair returns Sat., June 27, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the 700 block of Main Street. Enjoy free admission, 100+ vendors, three music stages, street performers, and a kids' area.
Watch Party tonight under the stars: Join the City and Northwestern for a World Cup Watch Party tonight, June 25, at 9 p.m. at the Robert Crown Center's outdoor turf fields. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets, and arrive hungry at 8:30 p.m. for hot dogs, burgers, and drinks for purchase. Plus, enjoy free popcorn from Northwestern while supplies last!
 Click image to play video.
Preserving our urban giants
Beginning June 29 and continuing until September, the City's Forestry Division, in partnership with Emerald Tree Care and Rainbow Ecoscience, will inoculate about 1,500 public American elm trees with a targeted antifungal fungicide.
Private property owners can also participate! The City's contract with Emerald Tree Care extends the same pricing to residents, and a 50/50 cost-share program is available. Those interested can find details and a sign-up form on our Dutch Elm Disease webpage.
 Celebrate Independence Day on July 4 🎆
The Evanston Fourth of July Association will once again host its annual 4th of July Celebration on Sat., July 4. Enjoy a parade along Central Street, a Kids' Fun Run, games and activities, a concert, and fireworks along the lakefront.
Volunteer to help with the festivities: The Fourth of July Association needs volunteers to help make this year’s celebration a success. Volunteers play a vital role in this beloved tradition, from assisting with the parade and games to helping with event logistics. Sign up today!
More News and Events
Attend a night with your state reps
You're invited to an End-of-Session Town Hall hosted by state legislators Robyn Gabel, Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, and Laura Fine on Monday, June 29, at 7 p.m. at the Evanston Ecology Center. Register to attend.
Free business mentoring available at Evanston Public Library
The Evanston Public Library partners with SCORE to offer free one-on-one business mentoring every other Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Evanston Public Library Main Branch. Mentors can help with business plans, marketing, financing, and more. Appointments are recommended.
Reserving a picnic site just got a little easier!
New signs with QR codes are being installed in several parks. Simply scan the QR code to view available picnic areas and reserve your spot online. When not reserved, picnic areas are available for free use on a first-come, first-served basis. Reserve a picnic permit.
Join Canal Shores' BioBlitz, June 27
Canal Shores is hosting a BioBlitz on Sat., June 27, a community science event where volunteers help find and document as many plants, animals, and living things as possible. Participants will use the free iNaturalist app to snap photos and identify species. The data collected supports conservation research. To volunteer, contact Arielle Erwin at aerwin@canalshores.org.
Get Engaged
Community Calendar
That’s it for today's e-news. Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
The City of Evanston Communications Team
|
