Planning Your 4th of July Celebration in and Around Wilmette

NEW! UPDATED FOR 2011!

I started this 4th of July post in 2008, and have been updating it every year.  Since so many people seem to keep landing here from a Google search, I've removed all the info from former years, and all the links refer to 2011.

Gather the family together to plan your 4th of July! Of course here in Wilmette, our Independence Day fireworks celebration is on Tuesday, the 3rd of July, at Gilson Park, so the holiday begins early for us with entertainment and food. Wilmette 4th of July 2011 info.

This year we are thinking of taking in a parade since we haven't done that for a couple of years. Wilmette doesn't have a parade, but there is no shortage of parades nearby. For a low stress parade, do consider Winnetka. It steps off at 10:00 am from Elm and Glendale, and heads East to the Village Green for a flag raising ceremony. This small parade is blissfully early, leaving time for a brief nap before lunch and is perfect for small children and the family dog as well. (Winnetka 4th of July, 2011 info - Pdf format)

We are also considering Glenview's parade which is much larger. Don't take the dog, though, there are a lot more people and the parade is much longer. The Glenview parade leaves OLPH at 11:30 am, goes west on Glenview Road, turns south on Harlem to Central, then marches west on Central to Johns Park. Glenview 4th of July, 2011 info.

Evanston's parade is great for late risers, it's not until 2:00. July 4, 2011 parade info and fireworks info.

There is also fireworks info on the links above, so don't delay putting your schedule together now!

New for 2011 is this recently posted Youtube color video of the 1957 Evanston Parade, complete with Walt Disney, the Disney characters, and some very famous Mouskateers!

Photo: Evanston has the odd tradition that people who plan to view the parade can take their chairs to Central Street and claim their spot days in advance. This year, July 1st is the official day for chair placement. Credit to eob who posts on Flickr.