Record Roundup: How to celebrate America’s 250th birthday in the North Shore

America is turning 250 years young, and the North Shore has plenty of plans to celebrate.

Patriotic parades, festive fun runs and brilliant fireworks are just a few of the ways you can celebrate local on America’s special day.

JUMP TO: WILMETTE | SKOKIE | WINNETKA | HIGHLAND PARK | GLENCOE | NORTHFIELD

Wilmette: Extended Fireworks

Wilmette again kicks off the holiday weekend a bit early with a packed day of celebration on July 3.

Start the day off right with some exercise at the Yankee Doodle Dash 5K. Starting and ending at Gillson Park, runners will received a special event T-shirt and medal. Registration is $40 and ended Tuesday, June 30. There is no on-site registration. 

After the run, cool off at Centennial Park with Star Spangled Splash. Enjoy free face painting, bounce house, pool time and a confetti fireworks show.

End the day with Wilmette’s annual Fireworks and Fun, with even more impressive fireworks and convenient transportation. Starting at 5 p.m. at Gillson Park, guests can enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities, such as airbrush tattoos, face painting, a photo booth and a magic show. Food from local favorites Lefty’s Pizza Kitchen, La Cocinita, Mustard’s Last Stand and Hecky’s Barbecue will also be available. 

The 40-minute fireworks show is scheduled to begin at 9:20 p.m. (dusk) over Lake Michigan. To celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, the village is partnering with North Shore Community Bank and extending the fireworks display. There will be an additional five minutes at the beginning of the showcase and a 10-minute grand finale. 

Leading up to the firework show, families can enjoy live music at the main stage and interactive activities at The Wallace Bowl.

Admission to Fireworks and Fun is free but beach access is only available to those who hold season passes. 

To calm down traffic congestion, the village is implementing another PACE shuttle route this year. Starting at 4 p.m., route 1 will begin at Loyola Academy, where guests can find parking. Route 1 will also stop at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 2727 Lake Avenue to pick up more guests. Route 2 will provide a shuttle service from Wilmette Metra Station at 12th Street. Round trip fares are $4.50 each. 

Skokie: 10,000+ Guests

Skokie is kicking off its holiday weekend with a Fourth of July Parade starting at noon at Oakton College.

This year, special guests Emmy-winners Dean Richards and Paul Lisnek, of WGN-TV, are set to grand marshal the parade. The Skokie parade will also honor retired Army Major Gen. James Mukoyama and Air Force Master Sgt. Joann A. Preston as the military grand marshals. 

The parade will run through Lincoln Street to Niles Center Road to Oakton Street.

At 6:30 p.m., gather at Niles West High School for family fun and live music. The fireworks show will begin at dusk. In past years, more than 10,000 guests attended the event, so plan parking accordingly.

Winnetka: Activities All Day

Winnetka has a packed schedule for its annual Independence Day festivities. 

Check-in for the Firecracker 5K Run begins at 7 a.m. at the Green Bay Trail 130 Wilson St. Registration is $35, and same day signups are also welcome. 

The morning events continued at 10 a.m. with Winnetka’s 4th of July Parade. Local organizations, Uncle Sam on stilts and a pipe band will be in attendance. Starting at the corner of Elm Street and Glendale Avenue, the parade will proceed east down Elm before concluding at the Village Green. 

Then, join the village in a traditional raising of the flag during Events on the Green from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Families can also partake in the annual foot races and children’s flag parade. Face painting, inflatables and balloon artists will also be on-site for more family fun.

Before the evening fireworks show, enjoy live music and food at Duke Child’s Field, 1321 Willow Road. At 7 p.m., Talk of the Town will perform, and at 8 p.m., the Jesse White Tumblers. 

Fireworks start at 9 p.m. For more information, see here.

Highland Park: Return of Fireworks

Highland Park will put on a two-day celebration this year. 

Kicking off the holiday weekend, Highland Park is bringing back its Independence Fest on July 3 from 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. at The Preserve of Highland Park, 1207 Park Ave. Eventgoers can enjoy dinner (food trucks on-site), games and a live performance from Dancing Queen, an ABBA tribute band.

At 9:30 p.m., the town’s fireworks display will begin for the first time since 2021, accompanied by music from a DJ.

The city will host its Independence Day Parade on July 4 at 10:30 a.m. Uncle Sam, community floats showcasing the town’s history and music will make its way through Downtown Highland Park.

After the parade, head over to Hidden Creek AquaPark for the Star-Spangled Pool Party. A DJ and patriotic poolside games will entertain guests. Parade participants will receive free entry to the party.

No remembrance ceremony is planned to mark the 2022 shooting. The city’s website says the decision was made with consideration of the victims from the shooting and consultations from the Department of Justice Office of Victims of Crime.

Glencoe: All Weekend Long

Glencoe has one of the busiest Independence Day weekends planned.

Get festive for the holiday at the Red, White and Bike Decorating event on July 3. Hosted at Wyman Park from 2:30-4:30 p.m., participants can decorate their ride with patriotic ribbons, streamers, flags and more. 

Then ride your bike over to Lakefront Park for Party in the Park, starting at 5 p.m. Enjoy children’s games, food, drinks, live music and dancing. The Yacht Rock-ettes will be performing at 6:45 p.m. End the night with a firework show over the lake. 

Note that Glencoe Beach will be closed for safety reasons on July 3 during the festivities. 

Wake up early the next day for the Fun Run at 8 a.m. starting at the Glencoe Metra station. Participation is free, but registration is encouraged.

From 9:30-11:30 a.m. is the Kids’ Red, White & Blue Party at Kalk Park. Join the community for inflatables, interactive games and a special appearance from Bluey. 

Stick around Kalk Park for a bags tournament at 11 a.m. Team up with another person for this free event. Register here. 

End the celebrations with the community parade in Downtown Glencoe at 1 p.m. For more details on the weekend’s events, see here.

Northfield: Parade and Party

Northfield residents are invited to celebrate the country’s birthday with a parade and more. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. July 4 at the North Shore Senior Center. The village will distribute awards for the most creative and best wagon displays.

Afterward, enjoy bounce houses, a balloonist, airbrush tattoos and more at the Community Center. For more information regarding the parade, see here. 

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