Janice Schakowsky

In what is poised to once again draw thousands of spectators to the streets of Evanston for the city’s largest yearly extravaganza, the Evanston Fourth of July Association has announced this year’s grand marshal will be U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, who is set to retire from Congress in a few months.

Schakowsky, an Evanston resident who has represented Illinois’ 9th congressional district since 1999 but chose not to run in the past election, will take the helm of the 104th annual Independence Day parade, celebrating this year’s theme of “Home of the Brave Since 1776,” in recognition of America’s 250th birthday.

“[Schakowsky] has served for several decades in a very admirable way, certainly fighting in many ways for critical legislation, so we look forward to recognizing her on the Fourth of July,” said Bruce Baumberger, former grand marshal and trustee emeritus of the Fourth of July Association.

After announcing her retirement last May, 15 Democrats sought to secure the nomination for Schakowsky’s seat, with Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss coming out on top during the March 2026 primary elections.

Baumberger told the Pioneer Press the association is expecting a “terrific turnout” for the 2026 celebration, which includes a fireworks show.

“We typically have probably 85 to 90 parade entries, and we are accepting applications now from community groups and others who want to be in the parade this year,” he said.

The event is put on annually by the non-profit organization that formed more than 100 years ago in response to a child who was injured while setting off fireworks on July 4, 1921.

With an interest in offering a safer celebration, local parents united to give their children a “good old-fashioned, jolly July 4th” under their own supervision, according to the association’s website.

Unlike many July 4th city-wide events, Evanston’s festivities are entirely community funded and put on by volunteers. No tax dollars are allocated for any portion of the event, including the morning games, parade, band concert or lakefront fireworks.

But Baumberger said due to increasing costs and new tariffs, the group is looking to raise up to $100,000 in additional funding to secure the event’s future.

“The 23-minute show that we provided last year was $50,000. The same show this year is $62,500, simply because of tariffs,” Baumberger said. “So it winds up being about $3,000 a minute for fireworks.”

With the event nearly 10 weeks away, organizers have begun the callout for donations and volunteers, including selling T-shirts this year to help with the added fees.

The festivities are expected to kick off with morning games from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at six Evanston locations: Lincolnwood School, Willard School, Kamen Park, Baker Park, the Evanston Township High School track and the Robert Crown Community Center.

A kids’ fun run will follow starting at 12:45 p.m. at Ackerman Park, which will lead into the annual parade from Central Park Avenue to Ryan Field at Ashland Avenue, followed by a Palatine Concert Band performance at Arrington Lakefront Lagoon in Dawes Park from 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Lakefront fireworks will then begin at 9:30 p.m. They shoot off from Clark Street Beach, just south of Northwestern University’s campus.

“For anyone who enjoys a really, really outstanding fireworks show, come to Evanston on the Fourth of July,” Baumberger added.