Chicago (WLS) — Several July 4th parades and events are taking place in Chicago and the suburbs on Tuesday.
In his first parade as mayor, Mayor Brandon Johnson will be there and march in the fourth parade in the 53rd. It started at Hyde Park Bank from 55th to 53rd Streets.
“You look at the collection of voices that are here today,” he said. “When I talk about the soul of Chicago, this is what I mean.”
Hyde Park residents and community members took to the streets for the 31st year.
“It’s run by and for us in the community,” said parade organizer Dave White. “And it’s something we do to come together.”
The parade included about a dozen participants and several other participants, along with local businesses and some politicians. Cook County Board President Tony Preckwinkle dressed as Lady Liberty herself.
It’s a parade where everyone marches, with organizers saying the whole community is involved.
Kimberly Morris said, “It’s a sense of community. We love the Hyde Park community. We’ve been here for over a decade so it’s always nice.”
Trinity Thornton said, “This is our second year at this and I love it. It’s wonderful for the community.” “It’s something cool for the kids.”
There was also a bike brigade featuring decorated bicycles, strollers and wagons, and cowboys on horseback, thrilling for some first-time parade goers.
About 1,000 people attend the annual event, which was started in 1992 by a group of Hyde Parkers to celebrate Independence Day.
The parade ends with a huge celebration in Nichols Park in which not only do neighbors celebrate the holiday, but so does their community.
In Arlington Heights, the parade began at Dunton Avenue and Oakton Street, passing through neighborhoods toward the amusement park.
People cheered as patriotic floats and marching bands passed by. One of the greatest gifts people give this holiday, they say, is spending quality time with family and friends.
Erin Robinson said, “We’ve been bringing the kids here every year since they were infants.” Arlington Heights is a great parade because there are a lot of high schools in the area, so I think there are five different marching bands. This is a great activity. Everyone prepares and reserves their places a day in advance.”
Mary Robinson said, “And it’s the tradition of getting together and hanging out with friends that I really enjoy.”
In Glen Ellyn, families were enjoying the sunshine from the south side in the annual parade, which featured first responders, local organizations and children marching with live music and cheer.
Sebastian Stein said, “I love watching the police and firemen because they do so much to help our community with everything.”
Live music, local food and fireworks will make for a special night at Bolingbrook Golf Club, with thousands of people expected to attend.
Mona Herrada of Off the Chain Mexican Cuisine said, “The line is down at both trucks from the time we open until we close.”
It’s not just a day to celebrate July 4th here in Arlington Heights, it’s also their annual Frontier Day with five full days of festivities.
They have different activities, multiple bands, and food every day, including a soccer tournament, a teen battle of the bands, dog frisbee, cornhole, and volleyball.
In Evanston, after a three-year hiatus, their July 4th celebration will return on Tuesday.
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The pandemic kept them virtual in 2020 and 2021 and then safety concerns after last year’s parade shooting in Highland Park forced them to cancel at the last minute.
Their parade will pass through Central Street and there will be fireworks in the evening by the lake.
In Aurora, their parade will leave at 10 a.m. from Broadway and Benton. They kicked off the festivities on Monday night with a huge, annual fireworks show.
More than 30,000 visitors were expected to congregate along the Fox River downtown.
Of course, there are many other suburbs like Antioch, Arlington Heights, Lincolnshire, Elgin, Yorkville that have parades and celebrations on Tuesdays as well.
Antioch will host a Run for Freedom 5K at 8 a.m. at the corner of Cunningham Drive and Poplar Avenue.
The parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. and start at Route 173 and go down Main Street to Poplar Avenue. There will be a “No Siren Zone” for those sensitive to loud noises from the beginning of the parade to Orchard Street.
This will be followed by a party at Williams Park at 3 pm and a fireworks show at 9:15 pm.
Lincolnshire will host a 5K race, parade, cardboard boat regatta and fireworks.
The 5K begins at Spring Lake Park at 8 a.m., the parade begins at 10 a.m. on Londonderry Lane and Lincolnshire Drive, and a cardboard boat regatta and a Blue Star Memorial rededication ceremony are immediately following the parade at 12 noon. There will be a fireworks show at 9:30 pm
In Elgin, the parade will begin at 9 a.m. at the intersection of Douglas and Slade. Festival Park in Elgin, 132 S. Festivities at Grove Avenue will begin at 5 p.m. with fireworks at 9:20 p.m.
Yorkville’s parade begins at 9 a.m. at Yorkville High School, followed by activities in Town Square Park. and a fireworks show in the evening.
Northbrook Parade begins just west of Westmoor School at 4 p.m.