Northbrook 4th of july Overview
Northbrook Independence Day events are organized by the Northbrook 4th of July Committee, comprised of staff members from the Village of Northbrook and the Northbrook Park District. This summer marks the eleventh year that the agencies are working together to coordinate the holiday festivities, with a focus on fun and safety.
The day begins with the annual Liberty Loop & Lap at Techny Prairie Park & Fields in the morning, followed by the Northbrook 4th of July parade down Cherry and Cedar Lane in the afternoon, and finishes with the big Northbrook 4th of July fireworks display in the evening – best experienced from Meadowhill Park.
The day begins with the annual Liberty Loop & Lap at Techny Prairie Park & Fields in the morning, followed by the Northbrook 4th of July parade down Cherry and Cedar Lane in the afternoon, and finishes with the big Northbrook 4th of July fireworks display in the evening – best experienced from Meadowhill Park.
Parking Restrictions & Driveway Street Access
To safely accommodate parade spectators and participants, temporary parking restrictions will be put into place on Friday, July 4.
Commercial, Community, Political & Sponsor Groups
Local groups are encouraged to walk or ride in the parade route! Showcase your organization or business as part of this Northbrook tradition.
Band & Specialty Groups
Specialty Acts like drill teams, entertainers, and bands are invited to apply to participate in the parade. The planning team has funds budgeted to encourage these groups to add to the festive fun!
Entry Deadline: Monday, June 9, 2025
Bike Parade
Join the family fun and kickoff the start of the parade by participating in the Bike Parade!
People were dancing as the band played! Everyone was very easy to work with.
– Big City Dixieland
Schedule of events
7:30am
Liberty Loop 5K Run/Walk
Techny Prairie Park & Fields
Enjoy an annual holiday tradition with a scenic run or walk on a certified 5K course through Techny Prairie Park and Fields (1750 Techny Road) and Meadowhill Park (1479 Maple Avenue). Winners receive medals, and pre-registered participants receive a dry-fit T-shirt and gift bag.
8:30am
Liberty Lap Fun Run
Techny Prairie Park & Fields
This one-mile modified Liberty Loop course welcomes junior joggers. The course starts and finishes at the same location as the 5K and winds along the Trail Through Time. Young runners receive a T-shirt, gift bag and a miniature American flag at the finish line.
4:00pm
Northbrook 4th of July Bike Parade
Cherry Lane at Westmoor School
The Bike Parade will kick off at 4pm on Cherry Lane at Westmoor School ahead of the time-honored Northbrook 4th of July Parade. Registration will be accepted in advance online and at the Bike Parade Tent on July 4 in the staging area. Join the family fun!
4:00pm
Northbrook 4th of July Parade
Cherry Lane at Westmoor School
The Northbrook 4th of July Parade will begin immediately following the Bike Parade. The route will start just west of Westmoor School (2500 Cherry Lane) ending at Village Hall (1225 Cedar Lane).
7:00pm
DJ Entertainment at the Velodrome
Ed Rudolph Velodrome
The Northbrook community is invited to gather at Meadowhill Park (1479 Maple Avenue) for some pre-fireworks DJ entertainment at the Ed Rudolph Velodrome.
Dusk
Northbrook 4th of July Fireworks
Ed Rudolph Velodrome
Finish your 4th of July celebration with a boom at the spectacular fireworks display at dusk, which can be viewed from Meadowhill Park (1479 Maple Avenue) and Techny Prairie Park and Fields (1750 Techny Road).
Managed by the Village of Northbrook
Managed by the Northbrook Park District
2025 Parade Entries
Acrodazzle Entertainment
Advanced Tree Care
Alpha and the Princes of Futa
American Red Cross
American Taxi Dispatch
Art of Problem Solving
Big City Dixieland Band
Bloomin’ Blinds
Chabad of Northbrook
Chicago Honey Bear Dancers
Congregation Beth Shalom
Countryside Day School
Covenant Living of Northbrook
Dance Force Elite
Danny Keys 24/7
Die Musikmeisters Band
Friends of Tracy Katz Muhl
Gene's Village Towing
Girl Scout Troop 47486
Glenbrook North Football
Glenbrook North Hockey Club
Go Green Northbrook
Hanley for Illinois
Illinois Region - Model A Restorers Club
J Blanton Plumbing
J. Blanton Plumbing
James Williams, Glenbrook North Superfan
James Williams, Glenbrook North Superfan
Jesse White Tumbling Team
MAN UP Basketball
Mariachi Los Paisanos
Matlin Law Group
MBS Automotive
MBS Automotive
Medinah Highlanders Pipes & Drums
Michigan City Soul Steppers Drill Team
Neon Nuts, Inc.
North Shore Balloon Decor
Northbrook 28 Children's Choir
Northbrook Bluehawks
Northbrook Chamber of Commerce
Northbrook Civic
Northbrook Girls Softball Association
Northbrook Historical Society
Northbrook Nine
Northbrook Public Library
Northfield Township Republican Organization
Northfield Township Road District
On Stage Salon Spa Barbertown
Peaceful Communities
RC Juggle
Rotary Club of Northbrook
Sam the Wheeler
Schneider for Congress
Sportclips Haircuts of Northbrook
St. Norbert and Our Lady of the Brook Parish
Sunset Foods
Tebala Motor Patrol
Those Funny Little People
Two Men and a Truck
Village Church of Northbrook
Gold Sponsors
SILVER Sponsors
bronze Sponsors
We truly appreciate the opportunity to perform and the warm welcome we received.
– Alpha Diallo
HISTORY
The Northbrook community has enjoyed a Fourth of July celebration every year since at least 1949, when a newspaper article reported that 150 spectators attended a small parade. A fireworks program began in the mid-1950s. The early shows were a joint effort of the Northbrook Jaycees and the American Legion and took place at Glenbrook North High School.
In 1966, the Northbrook parade attracted national attention. That was the year that the Park District, YMCA, scouts, and civic and neighborhood groups carried 1,000 transistor radios while marching from Greenbriar School to Village Green Park. The radios were tuned to a local radio station playing patriotic music. The parade―without bands―drew an estimated 22,000 spectators and was featured on WMAQ-TV News, the national NBC Huntley Brinkley Report, and on The Today Show the following morning. The parade was so successful that it was repeated in 1967.
In 1968, the Northbrook 4th of July Association was formed by representatives of the Jaycees, Northbrook Civic Foundation, American Legion and Knights of Columbus―with support from the Village―to sponsor the parade and the fireworks. The all-volunteer association became an Illinois Not-For-Profit Corporation on June 20, 1968.
Breakfast in the Park was added as part of the Bicentennial festivities in 1976, and an ice cream social was held for the first time in 2006 in conjunction with Park Fest.
After 45 years of planning the celebration, the Northbrook 4th of July Association disbanded in 2013, citing financial challenges and a lack of volunteers. The Northbrook Park District and Village of Northbrook agreed to collaborate to bring the holiday activities to the community.
In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all 4th of July events were canceled. In 2021 a majority of the 4th of July events were able to run after restrictions were lifted. Due to the time needed to plan the parade, that was unable to be offered in 2021.
In 1966, the Northbrook parade attracted national attention. That was the year that the Park District, YMCA, scouts, and civic and neighborhood groups carried 1,000 transistor radios while marching from Greenbriar School to Village Green Park. The radios were tuned to a local radio station playing patriotic music. The parade―without bands―drew an estimated 22,000 spectators and was featured on WMAQ-TV News, the national NBC Huntley Brinkley Report, and on The Today Show the following morning. The parade was so successful that it was repeated in 1967.
In 1968, the Northbrook 4th of July Association was formed by representatives of the Jaycees, Northbrook Civic Foundation, American Legion and Knights of Columbus―with support from the Village―to sponsor the parade and the fireworks. The all-volunteer association became an Illinois Not-For-Profit Corporation on June 20, 1968.
Breakfast in the Park was added as part of the Bicentennial festivities in 1976, and an ice cream social was held for the first time in 2006 in conjunction with Park Fest.
After 45 years of planning the celebration, the Northbrook 4th of July Association disbanded in 2013, citing financial challenges and a lack of volunteers. The Northbrook Park District and Village of Northbrook agreed to collaborate to bring the holiday activities to the community.
In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all 4th of July events were canceled. In 2021 a majority of the 4th of July events were able to run after restrictions were lifted. Due to the time needed to plan the parade, that was unable to be offered in 2021.
Previous Grand Marshals
2024
Northbrook Civic Foundation – Celebrating 100 Years
2023
Northbrook Historical Society
2019
American Legion Post 791 – Centennial Celebration of Founding
2018
Northbrook Police Chief Roger Adkins and Northbrook Fire Chief Andy Carlson
2017
Northbrook Park District – Celebrating 90th Anniversary
2016
1966 GBN Baseball State Champions
2015
Northbrook Rotary Club
2014
Northbrook Historical Society Board of Directors
2013
Marcia Doniger, Founder of Northbrook Citizens for Drug and Alcohol
2012
Current Iraq and Afghanistan Vets and Their Families
2011
WWII Veterans
2010
The Scouts of Northbrook
2009
Northbrook Woman’s Club
2008
Ed Harvey & John Novinson
2007
Bernie Schmidt
2006
Don Hintz and Jack Coombe
2005
Lona N. Louis
2004
Northbrook Civic Foundation
2003
Original Glenbrook North Staff
2002
Park District and Library Boards
2001
Shermerville Kids – Residents Born in Shermerville
2000
Ron Christensen
1999
Judith Hughes
1998
Wally Kruse
1997
Joe Doud
1996
Ron Bernardi
1995
Dan & Toni Walker
1994
David Cruickshank, Andy Gabel, Herman Lorenz, Louie Werhane
1993
Marcia Doniger
1992
Dr. E. James Duffy
1991
Bruce Hoover, Norbert Gumbinger, and Vets
1990
Ken Thiel
1989
Joe Doud
1988
David Cruickshank & Andy Gabel
1987
Daniel J. Walker
1986
Bert Pollak
1985
Dr. & Mrs. Homer O. Harvey
1984
Mr. & Mrs Ed Rudolph
Frequently Asked Questions
What are this year's parking restrictions?
Village staff will be staging parking restriction signage and materials for the parade and fireworks on or after June 27. These no parking zones are designed to allow emergency vehicle access in the event of an emergency at these events. While the signs might be placed prior to the events, these parking restrictions will only be enforced for July 4 activities.
Who makes decisions regarding Northbrook 4th of July activities?
The Northbrook 4th of July Committee, comprised of staff members from the Village of Northbrook and the Northbrook Park District, has been presenting 4th of July activities for the Northbrook community for the past ten years.
How long will the parade route be this year?
The parade will be a 0.7 mile route, starting just west of Westmoor School, 2500 Cherry Lane, and will end at Village Hall, 1225 Cedar Lane.
Questions?
If you have a question or inquiry not answered in our FAQs, please use the form.
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