Thousands get jump on July 4th at Waukegan Independence Parade
'I have five great grandchildren, and there is a sixth on the way,' Walter said, 'It's important to celebrate with the community. It's become a tradition.'
Samantha Golden, one of Walter's grandchildren, was sitting beside her grandmother with her son, Beni Salgado. At 5 months, it was his first parade.
Standing behind Walter and Golden were three of Walter's great-grandchildren, including Waukegan High School sophomore Lily Valdez. She knew precisely what would be the highlight of the parade for her.
'I like the candy,' Valdez said, referring to the sweets given out by many of the parade participants. 'I like the candy and the other stuff.'
Walter and her family were among more than 5,000 people lining the parade route for the annual American Independence Parade Sunday on Sheridan Road, between just north of Grand Avenue and Bowen Park in Waukegan, getting an early start celebrating the Fourth of July.
Walking, riding, marching and dancing in the parade were more than 100 entrants from organizations like the Waukegan Park District — the parade organizer. There were bands, floats from businesses and not-for-profit groups, and professional acts like a 20-foot-tall Uncle Sam on stilts.
Jay Lerner, the Park District's executive director, said the district was the primary organizer with a lot of help on logistics from the city of Waukegan, including the police, fire and public works departments.
'They help us with blocking off roads and closing streets,' Lerner said. 'By having the parade the Sunday before the Fourth of July, it's easier to hire the acts with so many other parades on the Fourth.'
Sitting along Sheridan Road in front of Bowen Park was Jessica Hernandez and her family. Sunday marked her 35th American Independence Parade in Waukegan. She, too, was there with children and grandchildren.
'I came because I got a sense of community,' Hernandez said, 'Now I come to instill the sense of community in my children and grandchildren.'
One of the younger members of the Hernandez family was Angelina Hernandez. Her favorite part of the parade was the giveaways from many of the participants.
'The candy,' Angelina said. 'I like the candy.'
While many of the people lining the parade route sat on chairs or blankets watching the festivities, some living on Sheridan Road, like Steve and Tara Kolber, threw a party and invited friends. He said they expected between 25 and 30 friends and family to join them.
'We've done this for the last 15 years,' Tara Kolber said. 'It's family and friends. Everyone brings something.'
Another party took place halfway through the route in front of Waukegan Community Unit School District 60's Lincoln Center administration building. Anita Hanna, a school board member, said the district has held such an event on the large front lawn for more than six years.
'We do it for goodwill for the people of Waukegan,' Hanna said. 'The hot dogs and (frozen treats) are free. It's a lot of fun for the community.'
Near the front of the parade was this year's grand marshal, Special Recreation Services of Northern Lake County. Kari Robinson, the organization's recreation supervisor, said the not-for-profit is marking its 25th anniversary.
'It's really exciting,' Robinson said. 'The Waukegan Park District is one of our members, (along with) the Zion Park District. It gives us some good exposure. We provide recreation services for people with disabilities.'
Near the front of the parade was Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham walking in his 25th American Independence Parade as an elected official — 18 years as a member of the City Council, and five as mayor. He sees a special significance to the country's 249th birthday.
'It symbolizes why the founding fathers had a vision we would become a country with different races, religions and an incredibly different idea of how the country would be today and in the future,' Cunningham said.
U.S. Rep Brad Schneider, D-Highland Park, walked in the parade with a group of people. He, too, had thoughts about the U.S. as it approaches its 250th year as a nation on July 4, 2026.
'I am thinking about our independence and what it means to democracy,' Schneider said.
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