The Evanston Fourth of July Association is proud to Celebrate its 86th year and the theme is a fun and appropriate one. We hope you will make our Celebration part of your fun and patriotic day. We welcome you as a spectator, volunteer, donor or all three. There are many activities and opportunities for everyone as you read below and throughout the website.

On Independence Day, Wednesday, July 4, 2007 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.

We Need Your Financial Support!

The Evanston Fourth of July Association is the entity that plans and executes ALL of the activities on the 4th of July. This production is not a City of Evanston function nor do we receive any money from them at all. All program costs are paid for by our non-profit 501(c)(3) organization through the generosity of Evanston residents and businesses.

As you look at our Schedule of Events you will see a full and comprehensive day of City wide activities beginning with the morning sports an playground games, the afternoon parade, the evening concert at Dawes Park and then our award winning musical fireworks extravaganza.

Everything costs us money. Marching bands and supplies for the parade, supplies and awards for games and the professional computer fired synchronized musical fireworks show are examples. We are required by the City to provide our own insurance for example and that is quite expensive. As the list goes on we need your help.

Please send a check with your tax deductible contribution (as allowed by law)for whatever you can afford to us or click on the link below and pay right now securely online!

CLICK HERE TO DONATE ONLINE NOW !

Please make checks Payable to the Evanston Fourth of July Association. P.O. Box 1898, Evanston, IL 60204-1898

If you, your company or organization are interested in sponsoring a band in the parade or an entire program please contact us right away: support@evanston4th.org. Thanks for your support in celebrating our countries birthday with fun and style!

Evanston Youth Hockey Association State Champs in 2006

Evanston Youth Hockey Association State Champs in 2006 Congratulations to the Evanston Youth Hockey Association's Girls Team for being U-10 Girls State Champions in 2006!. The pictures below show their pride being shown at the 2006 Parade. The Association has also been an important part of the Parade for several years as they are the folks that distribute the programs to spectators along the route. When you see the in action this year, give them a cheer!
 

Five Celebration Managers took a minute out of a busy morning to pose for a photo at the 4th of July Parade.
It is the Celebration Manager that coordinates the planning and execution of the day's events with all of the
Celebration Team members and committee chairs.

From left to right: Craig Thompson, 1998-2002, Sam Sibley, 1993-1995, Michael Kipley 2003-2005, Curtis Chancellor, 1986, Dave Sniader, 1996-1997

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.

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 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.

Air Force Flyover Scheduled on the 4^th

The 440^th Air wing's 95^th 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 4^th 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.

Share your favorite July 4th memories with other Evanstonians!