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Monday, July 4^th , 2005: Evanston's 84^th
Independence Day Celebration.

On Independence Day, Monday, 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.

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VIEW THE 2005 PARADE
YOU WILL NEED WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER

A few words about our local hero. Evanston resident Major Andrew Krafft of the US Air Force Reserves hasbeen the pilot of the lead plane. 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 have been glad to have Andrew and the entire crew be a part of the pre-parade festivities.

We are delighted to announce that the North End Mothers' Club was able to give the Evanston Fourth of July Association a record $10,000 this past month for the 2005 Celebration. The NEMC, established in 1911, was the organization that originally started the Evanston Fourth of July Association back in 1922 after a home fireworks accident badly injured a young boy.

In a letter to Association President Dave Sniader, Diane Burke wrote "On behalf of the North End Mothers' Club, I am very pleased to inform you that we have decided to support the Evanston Fourth of July Association with a substantial donation this year in light of the financial position your organization faces. You expressed to me and Sally Ennis in letters that without some financial help the 4th of July Association may no longer be able to support the many activities Evanston has long enjoyed in celebrating the holiday. As I know you are aware, the North End Mothers' Club has been a partner with the Association and due to our long relationship we feel it most important at this time to do whatever we can to keep things status quo".

Diane Burke is the Policy Chairman and Past President of the NEMC and Sally Ennis is their current President..

"We are so more than pleased with the support over the many years and especially this large contribution this year" said Association President Dave Sniader". "This generous donation comes at a critical time for us and is so very important. I hope that others in the business community and our residents understand that without the increased support of each person, business and organization there would be no Independence Day Celebration in Evanston".

"We are planning many other new and exciting fundraising activities for the next year" said Joan Ducayet, Parade Director and Fundraising Committee member of the Association. "The NEMC will be an important partner in moving forward with these programs and are excited to work together".

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.

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 2001 edition.

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.

Share your favorite July 4th memories with other Evanstonians!