Waukegan Park District accepting applications for 2026 American Independence Parade

The Waukegan Park District is accepting online applications for the 2026 American Independence Parade, which will step off at noon on Sunday, June 28, traveling north on Sheridan Road from Franklin Street to Jack Benny Drive. The parade theme is “Waukegan Celebrates 250 Years of America” and the Grand Marshal will be Bonnie Brook Golf Course; they are celebrating their 100th anniversary this year.

Bonnie Brook Golf Course in Waukegan was designed by James Foulis in 1926, and is one of the premier options for public golf on the North Shore and in the greater Chicago area.

Referred to fondly by local residents as “The Brook,” Bonnie Brook draws golfers with countryclub conditions, a sense of history, and a gracious, friendly atmosphere within its golf shop and bar and grill.

This 18-hole championship course, owned by the Waukegan Park District and operated by GolfVisions Management Inc., is consistently ranked among the top 50 public golf facilities in the Chicago area. At 6,640 yards from the tips, Bonnie Brook accomplishes the difficult double task of challenging serious players while helping newcomers relax as they ease into this classic game.

With thousands of spectators expected along Sheridan Road, businesses and organizations are invited to participate in this long-standing community tradition with a parade entry. To participate in the parade, a completed application must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. Monday, June 1. Businesses and nonpolitical organizations can participate for free. Political organizations must pay a $150 fee to participate.

There are several sponsorship and volunteer opportunities. More information, including the parade entry application, is available at waukeganparks.org/parade.

The Waukegan Park District, incorporated in 1916, manages 52 properties on 740 acres of land and serves more than 86,000 people, making it the 11th largest park district in Illinois. In addition to overseeing 41 parks, the Waukegan Park District operates several facilities, including the Adaptive Recreation Center, Administrative Center, Belvidere Recreation Center, Bonnie Brook Golf Course, Field House Sports, Fitness & Aquatics Center, Greenshire Golf Course, Jack Benny Center for the Arts, SplashZone, and Waukegan’s Greg Petry SportsPark. Programs and events are offered year-round for individuals of all ages and abilities, emphasizing healthy lifestyles, fostering environmental stewardship, and promoting cultural education.

With 74 full-time employees and 217 part-time and/or seasonal employees, the Waukegan Park District is a member of the National Recreation and Park Association, Illinois Association of Park Districts, Illinois Park and Recreation Association, and the Park District Risk Management Agency.

The Waukegan Park District was awarded the National Gold Medal for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management in 2013 and has been named a finalist for the award seven times. The Waukegan Park District is nationally accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies and state accredited by IAPD/IPRA as an Illinois Distinguished Accredited agency.

For more information about the Waukegan Park District, go to waukeganparks.org,