Day-before-Fourth festivities bring thousands to Wilmette and Glencoe

Independence Day is so fun locals celebrate a day early.

As is tradition, Wilmette held its annual Fourth of July bash on July 3, and this year, it was joined by Glencoe, which pivoted to a July 3 celebration because of a vendor conflict.

TO VIEW A PHOTO GALLERY FROM THE THIRD OF JULY EVENTS, CLICK HERE

Thousands of spirited individuals, whether local or traveling from nearby communities, partied at the beachfront parks — Gillson in Wilmette and Lakefront in Glencoe — with live music, roaming entertainment, food, drink and more.

In Glencoe, the fun began Sunday, July 3, with a Party in the Park that included games and inflatables on the food courts while four food trucks and beer and wine sales ran until 9 p.m. Live music began at 6 p.m., and fireworks lit up the sky afterward.

Wilmette welcomed thousands to Gillson Park, where the Blooze Brothers and Good Clean Fun provided live music and the Jesse White Tumblers again wowed the crowd.

The second day of Glencoe’s event — as well as festivities in Winnetka, Northfield and numerous other suburbs from Glenview to west-suburban Lombard — was canceled out of respect and as a precaution following the mass shooting Monday, July 4, during a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park.

A message from the Village of Winnetka read, in part, “We are heartbroken the celebration of our country’s founding has been cut short by a violent act in our neighboring community. It is our hope you are able to celebrate the remainder of Independence Day with your families and loved ones. Our thoughts are with our friends and neighbors in Highland Park and all who have been impacted by this tragedy.”

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