Photo by Caroline Zeng / Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute As the marching band faded and the floats disappeared, a new sound took over: the steady hum of engines from the cleanup crew. Central ...

A golden retriever accompanies its owner during the Evanston Fourth of July parade. Many dogs attended the event in costume, wearing bandanas, onesies, or tutus. Photo by Hailey Lloyd / ...

Substitute teacher Gabriel Garcia sports gray “Mexicans Ain’t Going Anywhere” shirt at parade to protest ongoing discrimination and represent cultural heritage. Photo by Juliana Agudelo Ariza / North ...

Gus Kohl arrived two hours early for Evanston’s Fourth of July parade. The 13-year-old set up his freezer and chair at a nearly empty Independence Park on Central Street, and he ...

For the Winnetka resident, the annual Evanston Fourth of July Parade is more about connecting to the past than dressing up or watching fireworks. “Every year, mostly at the beginning of the parade, ...

Banks’ sign onto her carriage-like parade vehicle before the 2025 Evanston Fourth of July parade. Photo by Stella Bleiweis / North by Northwestern A father beckoned to his two young children, both ...

Candidates campaigned for Illinois’ legislature and the United States House of Representatives ahead of the General Primary Election March 17, 2026. Evanston native Miracle Jenkins smiles at Fourth of ...

Evanston residents start saving seats for the annual Fourth of July parade days beforehand. Photo by Will Hansen / North by Northwestern The Evanston Fourth of July Parade carries with it the ...

Photo by Logan Szymanski / North by Northwestern Members of the Chicago Highlanders Pipes and Drums march down Evanston streets holding the American, Scottish and Chicago Highland Pipe Band flags ...

U.S. flags border the streets, hang from scaffolding and wave in the hands of participants at Evanston’s 2025 Fourth of July parade. The flags often represent American pride and unity, but can also be ...