Journal & Topics Media Group

Des Plaines Axes July 4th Parade, But Will Consider Decoration Contest


Des Plaines July 4th parade winds down at Center Street and Prairie Avenue. (Journal file photo)

It looks like there will not be a July 4th parade in Des Plaines this year.

Like in 2020, concern about spreading COVID-19 among the thousands of people who line Center Street to view the parade is the reason for the cancellation.

The absence of a parade, however, does not mean that the community won’t observe America’s birthday. City officials at Monday night’s city council meeting agreed that a program would be held around the first of July where residents are invited to decorate their homes in Independence fashion. That was conducted last year when about 30 homes participated in a contest. Judges from Des Plaines American Legion Post 36 visited every house to determine winning entries.

Ald. Malcolm Chester (6th) Monday said “it would be good to have an alternative” to the parade. He suggested something similar to last year’s program that invited local residents to drive into local neighborhoods to view the houses that were decorated.

“We can do what we did last year,” said City Manager Mike Bartholomew. “I liked what we did last year,” added Mayor Matt Bogusz.

Details of the local celebration have yet to be worked out.

A giant American flag waves gently in the breeze while draped over the Des Plaines Fire Department’s training tower at Station 63 on Thacker Street in July 2020. Reds, white and blues covered parts of the city not only for the July 4th holiday, but a community decorating contest. (Journal file photo)

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