Celebrate the Fourth with Waukegan parade
Celebrate Independence Day with Waukegan's American Independence Parade and Festival Sunday, June 28.
The parade steps off at 1 p.m. from Franklin Street and Sheridan Road and proceeds north to Bowen Park. This year's parade theme is Celebrating Community.
The grand marshal of this year's parade is Terry Duffy, who in May concluded 12 years of service as a Waukegan Park District commissioner. His positive attitude and unwavering belief in and support of his city and park district are being recognized, organizers said.
The parade route will have three designated areas for special units to perform short routines. These locations are Franklin and Sheridan Road, Glen Flora and Sheridan Road, and across the street from Bowen Park on Sheridan Road.
Immediately after the parade is the American Independence Festival from 2:30 to 5 p.m. in Bowen Park, 39 Jack Benny Drive, Waukegan.
The festival has live music, children's games and crafts, a skateboard expo, DJ, petting zoo, pony rides, book give-a-ways, a Waukegan Police Department K-9 Unit demonstration and Waukegan emergency vehicles.
Food vendors begin serving in Bowen Park at 11:30 a.m. The Waukegan Band will entertain with a program of American music from 3 to 5 p.m.
The American Independence festivities are sponsored by many local businesses and citizens. Special recognition is provided to Vista Health System for its longtime continued support.
For more information about the parade and festival, call the Waukegan Park District at (847) 360-4700.