The Week Ahead is back, a preview of all things Evanston and Chicago. This week features Fourth of July celebrations and parades, concerts and a festival.
Starlight Concert: Big Style Brass Band
McCulloch Park, Evanston
Tuesday July 2, at 6:30 p.m.
Free
The Big Style Brass Band features ten members that play brass band music from New Orleans tradition. There will also be food available for purchase from Firehouse Grill at the concert.
Evanston SPACE: Marcia Ball
SPACE, Evanston
Wednesday July 3, doors open at 7:00 p.m.
$40 seated, $25 standing
Marcia Ball is a renowned blues singer, pianist and songwriter who combines Texas boogies with New Orleans ballads to create her own version of blues.
4th on 53rd Parade
Begins on E 54th Street travels east, travels south on S Lake Park Avenue, travels east on E 55th Street, travels north on Hyde Park Boulevard, travels west on E 53rd Street and ends at Nichols Park, Chicago
Thursday July 4, starting 11:00 a.m.
Free
The parade will include floats, marching bands, community groups and children on decorated bikes. After the parade, there will be a festival from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. with performances, games, bouncy houses, face painting, a petting zoo and more.
Evanston Fourth of July Celebration
Evanston’s annual Fourth of July Celebration will last all day and features a kid’s fun run, parade and fireworks. The theme of this year’s celebration is “Seeds of Change.”
Morning Games
Baker Park, ETHS West Field (South End), Fleetwood-Jourdain Center, Kamen Park East, Lincolnwood School, Robert Crown Center, Willard School, Evanston
Thursday July 4, at 9:00 a.m.
Free
These family-friendly games and events bring people together for fun competition. Some of the events include frisbee throwing, penny scramble, sack race, 3-legged race, egg tossing and a watermelon eating contest. Ribbons will be awarded.
Kids Fun Run
Ackerman Park, Evanston
Thursday July 4, at 12:45 p.m.
$15
For children 10 and under, this annual tradition is a 0.7 mile run. The first 125 participants to check in will receive a t-shirt, race bib and ribbon. Refreshments will also be available. Register here.
Tennis Finals
Ackerman Park, Evanston
Thursday July 4, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Free to watch
Come watch the Evanston Community Tennis Association’s Fourth of July Tournament.
Parade
Begins at Central Park Avenue and travels east on Center Street to Ryan Field at Ashland Avenue, Evanston
Thursday July 4, starting at 2:00 p.m.
Free
Come watch the annual 4th of July Parade that features local businesses, nonprofits and community groups.
Band Concert
Arrington Lakefront Lagoon at Dawes Park, Evanston
Thursday July 4, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Free
The Palatine Concert Band will perform. The Palatine Concert Band is a volunteer wind ensemble that performs band music for the Chicago area. You can also tune into 90.5 FM to listen.
Lakefront Fireworks
Visible from most lakefront parks, Evanston
Thursday July 4, at 9:30 p.m.
Free
Come see lakefront fireworks. You can also tune into 90.5 FM to listen.
31st Annual African/Caribbean International Festival of Life
DuSable Museum Garden, Chicago
Thursday July 4 from 12:00 to 10 p.m., Friday July 5 from 12:00 to 10 p.m., Saturday July 5 from 12:00 to 10 p.m., Sunday July 6 from 12:00 to 10 p.m.
$35 general admission
The festival will headline performers of reggae, afrobeat, blues, jazz, gospel, latin, hip-hop, dancehall and world music. There will be merchandise and food vendors, arts and crafts and educational activities.
Email: [email protected]
Related Stories:
—The Week Ahead, June 24-30: Concerts, Art Festivals and Pride Celebrations in Chicagoland
—The Week Ahead, June 17-23: Juneteenth, Summer Solstice and Pride Celebrations in Chicagoland
