[ad_1]
Evanston’s traditional 4th of July celebration will be virtual this year for the second year in a row, with the theme “A United Community Cannot Be Dividedâ€.
There was a slight uproar on social media after a Fox News article last month with the headline “City of Illinois Cancels July 4th Parade Due to COVID-19 Concerns But Allows Celebrations of Juneteenth and Pride â€.
However, this title was incorrect. The city has nothing to do with the cancellation of the festivities, as the 4th of July celebration is organized and hosted by an all-volunteer organization, the Evanston Fourth of July Association.
The Juneteenth and Gay Pride events are also organized by volunteers.
In a post on the website, the Fourth of July Association explained that when a decision to go or not to go had to be made in March, there was still uncertainty about the state of the pandemic of coronavirus and what it could mean for the crowds at the parade, fun run, orchestral concert and fireworks.
Because the 4th of July celebration attracts thousands of spectators (many more than the much smaller events of Juneteenth and Pride), many of whom are unvaccinated children, the association decided “out of caution” to have a virtual fourth. for the second. year in a row.
“We felt we had no other choice,” the group said, “but to make this difficult and unpopular decision.”
This year’s fourth virtual edition features a number of events and contests, including photo submissions for ‘the most festive family’, ‘the best decorated garden chair’, ‘the most patriotic animal’, “The most festive dish” and “the best decorated showcase”.
For more information on these contests and other Fourth virtual events, visit evanston4th.org.
Next year’s July 4th celebration, assuming COVID doesn’t return, is expected to be one of the best ever. That’s because 2022 marks the 100th anniversary of the Evanston Fourth of July Association.
The Wilmette Park District sponsors a fireworks show and other events on Saturday nights at Gillson Park.
[ad_2]
