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Sunday, July 4th , 2004: Evanston's 83rd On Independence Day, Friday, July 4, Evanston's festivities will include citywide playground sports and games, tennis, the ever-popular parade at 2:00 p.m., a lakefront musical performance and fireworks extravaganza. The full day of activities will begin at 8 a.m. and conclude with the fireworks show, which begins at 9:15 p.m. Each year, the Evanston Fourth of July Association plans family-oriented activities to entertain the city's residents. See the Schedule and individual links above for more information.2004 Theme Selected After a spirited meeting the Fourth of July Association Celebration Team selected "Evanston: Star of the Lakeshore" for the 2004 theme. The theme approved by the Board of Trustees was unanimously and enthusiastically a couple of days later. "It was a great, fun and creative meeting" said Michael Kipley, Celebration Manager. "We started by putting each person's idea up on the board. There were at least two dozen great ideas offered by the group. We are really happy and excited about the them selected" said Kipley. The intent of the theme is to highlight Evanston the premier gem of cities and towns along the lakeshore. Elements of the theme are encouraged to be used in some creative way by parade entrants and throughout the Celebration. This year's theme was the idea of Hillary Bean who coordinates and trains all of the parade marshals. She is always looking for more people to volunteer as marshals in the parade and would love to hear from you!Evanston Parade Voted #1 by North Shore Magazine. Readers of North Shore Magazine were asked to vote on their favorite activities in the area. The proud distinction of best parade went to Evanston's Fourth of July Parade and is featured in the July 2003 issue. The article recognized the great number of bands, the recognition given by Country Home Magazine as the third finest celebration in the country (see below) and that the entire program is an all-volunteer effort. Air Force Flyover Scheduled on the 4th The 440th Air wing's 95th Airlift Squadron will fly over Central Street on the fourth of July sometime between 11:00 and 11:30. There will be a formation of three C-130 transport aircraft. The planes are based out of Milwaukee and will be making a tour of several 4th of July parades in the Chicagoland. The pilot of the lead plane is Evanstonian Major Andrew Krafft of the US Air Force Reserves. Andrew began his military career in the Navy for 12 years and flew
P-3 Submarine chasers out of Barber's Point NAS in Hawaii among many others. Rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander, he also taught as a flight instructor at NAS Pensacola in Florida. Major Krafft is a full time commercial pilot flying
Airbus A-320's with United Airlines. We are glad to have Andrew and the entire crew be a part of the pre-parade festivities this year. For more information on the C-130 aircraft that will be flying overhead click
Here. Evanston's Fourth Celebration Rated Third Best in the Nation by Country Home Magazine Of
the five great Fourth of July Celebrations in the entire United States,
Evanston was ranked number three by Country Home Magazine in their August They wrote: "Evanston, Illinois. Off the beaten path from the perennial Taste
of Chicago festival in Grant Park, locals stake their spots early along
Central Street for a classic parade filled with marching bands."
Leading the list was the Celebration in Washington D.C. followed by Boston. The
article cited the National Symphony in Washington performing on the West
Lawn and the Boston Pops' performance at the Esplanade.
"We are very excited and truly delighted that Country Home recognized Evanston
with such distinction" said David Sniader, President of the Evanston Fourth
of July Association. "Being ranked in the top three in the nation with
the massive National Celebration in Washington and the legendary Boston
Fourth Party surrounds us with great company" he said.
There is one important fact that separates Evanston's Celebration from almost
all others including the top two mentioned in the magazine. It is planned
and executed entirely by volunteers and supported through individual donations
and corporate gifts. "It is only through these efforts and support and
our great relationship with the City that we can produce such a quality
experience for all Evanstonians. We know in our hearts that the character
of our City and the efforts I just described make us number one," Sniader
said. Evanston: Beacon of Freedom  The 2003 Pelton Award - Best of Show. Backlot Association 2003 Theme Highlights Lighthouse; Lighthouse Director named Grand Marshal This year's theme Evanston: Beacon of Freedom will pay tribute to the Grosse Point Light House, which is celebrating its 130th year. The lighthouse constructed in 1873 was used to guide ships on the lake and now houses a museum and nature center. Tours of the lighthouse take place Sat. and Sun., June-Sept. For more information on the Lighthouse click here.Leading off the parade this year as Grand Marshal will be Donald J. Terras the Superintendent of the Lighthouse Park District of Evanston. Donald has been managing the operations of the Grosse Pointe Light House since 1984 and is the author of the book "Grosse Point Lighthouse: Landmark to Maritime History & Culture". We are delighted to have our own lighthouse keeper Don with us at the front of the parade this year.
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2001 edition.