The Storied History of the EP Independence Day Parade

For years, the previous generations remembered 95th Street as being a dusty two-lane road with ditches running alongside that would fill up with water after a heavy rain…thus becoming a favorite playspot for the kids in Evergreen Park.

Of course, these were the days that this main business artery was not fully developed. As Evergreen Park grew, so did 95th Street.

Flash forward to 1968. The Village was celebrating its 75th Anniversary. And it wasn’t a one-day celebration. The festivities took place over a two-week time, beginning Friday, August 9 of that year and continued with events, indoor and out, every day until Saturday, August 17. Luncheons, concerts, baking contests, art shows, historical theatrical productions, fireworks, picnics, dances and the like filled the two weeks.

Those who were there have documented that every event was mobbed with people. These were the days prior to cable tv and streaming networks and the whole “distraction-in-the-palm-of-your-hand” thing called a smartphone. In short, families came out and had a great time.

On Saturday morning, August 10, 1968 at 11am, the “Jubilee Parade” began at 95th and Crawford (Pulaski Rd) and continued on to California Avenue in the NORTH lanes of 95th Street. Yes, you read that right. 95th Street was not completely shut down during the parade!

It wasn’t the first parade that the village had ever held. The “Evergreen Park Days” parades, traveling east to west, entertained the post-war community in the 1940s and 50s.

However, what began that morning in 1968 would become a long-standing tradition. The following year, the village board, having seen the success of the previous year’s festivities, scheduled another parade and roster of community activities, this time centered around the July 4th holiday of 1969.

And almost every year since, the Evergreen Park Independence Day Parade has thrilled thousands upon thousands of people. With a magnificent fireworks display always planned for parade night, the evening has become an institution, an opportunity for families and friends to have barbecues, parties and their own festivities.

This Friday, June 28th, marks the 54th running of the parade. It would have been 56 if not for the two-year shutdown due to Covid. But we still call it the “Annual” parade!

As usual, the parade will kickoff at 6:30pm, with thousands of people lined up along the parade route.

The Recreation Department is excited to have some exciting entries in the parade, including the return of the Stanford Battery (Civil War re-enactors) and new participants, such as Nascar. Plus some surprises! If you miss the parade, don't worry. Video highlights (with commentary) will be available on our website very soon.

This is, of course, followed by the mass exodus from 95th Street to Duffy Park for the fireworks. Get your spot early, and it’s easier to get there on foot or on a bicycle.

Would you like a glimpse of some of those Fourth of July festivities of fifty-plus years ago? A fascinating set of 16mm home movies was taken over the summers of 1969 and 1970. Running about forty-five minutes, you can watch it on our website!

Info on this year’s parade will continue to be posted on the Rec Dept’s Facebook page (“Evergreen Park Recreation”) and you can always call (708) 229-3373. Please note that the parade and fireworks schedule is contingent upon the weather.