Winnetka parade continued, later events canceled following Highland Park shooting

A hometown Fourth of July parade, an Independence Day celebration on the Village Green, and evening of fireworks, have been woven into the history of summers in Winnetka.

This year’s plans for Independence Day were no exception. But plans for the day’s events were cut short when tragedy struck in nearby Highland Park.

“This year we were finally looking forward to just getting things back to normal, with a return to events on the Green, which were making their return after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19,” Winnetka Park District Recreation Manager, Toby Ross said.

The parade took off at 10 a.m., making its way from the corner of Elm Street and Glendale Avenue, east to the Village Green and offering a patriotic collage of red, white, and blue, with the nostalgia of orchestras, marching bands, jugglers, scout troops, and community members all marching together.

This year, for the first time, the Navy Band Great Lakes and the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps were featured.

Family fun activities on the Village Green were planned to begin immediately following the parade ― relay races, inflatables, balloon artist, face painting, crafts and more, although the full-scale Fourthfest event wasn’t planned this year due to an upcoming village stormwater project.

“We’re inching back to pre-pandemic numbers,” Ross said.

William Cassin of Winnetka attended the parade with friends and family.

“Watching the Winnetka parade is a little like going back in time and finding a bit of what’s missing today, a longing for a simpler time and a sense of community,” Cassin said.

Elaine Bovaird of Winnetka also attended the parade with family.

“We’re from Winnetka and our family has been coming to this parade for over 50 years, it’s the highlight of the holiday for both young and old, and we wouldn’t miss it,” Bovaird said.

Just as the last of the marchers finished the parade route, the color guard from Winnetka Scout Troops 18 and 20 rested with water and shade, and area families were making plans for the rest of their Independence Day holiday, Village of Winnetka officials and Winnetka Park District officials made the call to cancel the rest of the day’s activities.

“After the Highland Park shooting, with the safety of our residents as our utmost and primary concern an announcement was made over our sound system regarding the cancellation of the events on the Green, while staff helped facilitate a quick breakdown and safe and secure evacuation of the park,” Ross said in an email.

Once the grounds were cleared, Ross said, they continued discussions and ultimately decided to cancel the remaining aspects of the day including the fireworks for safety reasons.

“Our parade was already underway before the incident in Highland Park began,” said Winnetka Deputy Police Chief Brian O’Connell. “As you can appreciate, the situation in Highland Park was fluid and rapidly evolving. Once information was confirmed by Law Enforcement Officials that this incident was related to their parade event, all Winnetka 4th of July activities were ended out of an abundance of caution for the safety of all attending.”

Winnetka village officials issued a statement citing respect for the victims and “an abundance of caution.”

“The Park District and the Village carefully planned the parade, the events on the Green, and the fireworks, and looked forward to celebrating with you. We are heartbroken the celebration of our country’s founding has been cut short by a violent act in our neighboring community,” the statement read. “It is our hope you are able to celebrate the remainder of Independence Day with your families and loved ones. Our thoughts are with our friends and neighbors in Highland Park and all who have been impacted by this tragedy.”

Gina Grillo is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.