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wilmettebeacon.com NEWS
the wilmette beacon | July 11, 2019 | 3
Posted to WilmetteBeaconDaily.com 6 days ago
Wilmette Fourth of July traditions continue with bash
Alexa Burnell
Freelance Reporter
Since 1972, families
have united on July 3 at
Gillson Park, celebrating
the nation’s independence
on a day that has become
known as Wilmette’s very
own national holiday.
Hosted by the Wilmette
Park District with assistance
from the Village of
Wilmette, fire and police
Departments, the annual
celebration is one that according
to Julie Nichols,
Center for the Arts supervisor,
truly requires all
hands on deck.
“Our Independence Day
celebration is one the not
only unites the entire community
and surrounding
neighborhoods, but unifies
the park district too,” Nichols
said. “There is so much
collaboration between every
department; by now,
we all work together like
a well-oiled machine. Our
biggest reward is seeing
the smiles on the faces of
the thousands of people
who attend each year. This
is our best gift to the community.”
Marlon Rodas, marketing
and communications
director for the Wilmette
Park District, it is estimated
that 25,000 people
enjoy the day-long festivities.
This year, he and the
entire marketing department
even upped the ante,
by switching the annual
fun run from the morning
of the 4th to the morning
of the 3rd, keeping all activities
on one day.
This year, the run was
rebranded as the Yankee
Doodle Dash, attracting
300 runners. The traditional
4-mile run became a 5K,
which according to Rodas
was more “in line” with a
Yankee Doodle Dash 5K
Top 5 (male finishers)
1. Connor Trapp,
23, Rogers Park, 16
minutes, 4 seconds
2. Joseph Galindo, 18,
Northfield, 16:27
3. Colin Donovan, 45,
Wilmette, 17:11
4. Thomas Robbins,
57, Wilmette, 17:53
5. Jeffrey Jacobs, 31,
Chicago, 18:50
Top 5 (female finishers)
1. Nancy Werner, 44,
Wilmette, 19:13
2. Savannah Noethlich,
19, Winnetka, 19:49
3. Rosie Harrison, 8,
Wilmette, 21:14
4. Julia Soriano, 12,
Wilmette, 21:42
5. Courtney Doyle, 36,
Winnetka, 22:44
Connor Trapp, who grew up in Wilmette but now lives
in Rogers Park, finished first overall. Photos by Rhonda
Holcomb/22nd Century Media
run of this nature. Before
adults even put on their
running shoes, youngsters
took to the path first, running
their little hearts out in
a quick junior dash. Then,
when the race started and
the cheers filled the air,
Natalie Pierce, marketing
assistant, knew the mission
to rebrand the event
had been accomplished.
“We worked really hard
to see the run was wellreceived.
All the positive
feedback from the crowd
confirmed that our plan
worked and that the event
was a true success,” Pierce
said. “Nothing felt better
than knowing we recreated
the run, exceeding the
public’s expectations.”
Other changes to the
Yankee Doodle Dash included
handing out medals
to all participants, thanks
to the generosity of Wilmette’s
Electrolysis for
You. In addition, each participant
received a t-shirt
thanks to Diguilio Kitchens
and only the top male
and female winners were
recognized. Those winners
were, Connor Trapp and
Nancy Werner.
At the end of the run,
attendees were treated to
cold beer and food trucks,
giving participants just
enough time to head home,
shower up and head back
for the afternoon and evening
festivities.
Once there, the grounds
of Gillson Park were filled
to the brim with guests enjoying
face painting, children’s
games, pony rides,
sack races, live music,
great food and unforgettable
entertainment such as
the legendary Jessie White
Tumblers.
Wilmette’s Cary Kelly
confessed that the Tumblers
performance is one
of his favorite parts of the
evening, despite having to
navigate the crowd and occasional
view obstructions.
“We’ve been coming to
the Independence Day celebration
for over 10 years
and never tire of the Jessie
White Tumblers,” Kelly
said. “My whole family
enjoys them even though
each year, our view is inevitably
blocked by a wellmeaning
Uncle Sam on
stilts. It happens each year
and it’s become a funny
family story now.”
After all the pomp and
circumstance, the night
grew dim and families
began to settle into their
designated spots enjoying
food, friendship and
laughter, before a grand
fireworks display over
Lake Michigan. Little ones
A group of runners pose with “Uncle Sam.”
The Jessie White Tumblers perform. Alexa Burnell/22nd
Century Media
Trapp (left) and Wilmette’s Nancy Werner, who was first
among women. Rhonda Holcomb/22nd Century Media
cuddle on their parent’s
laps, talking about which
firework gave the most
bang for its buck.
Wilmette’s VanderKamp
family were one of those
guests spending time with
one another, gazing up into
the sky watching the fireworks
light up the night.
“Watching the fireworks
with our family and
friends while others do the
same is one of our favorite
moments of the year,” said
mom, Tara VanderKamp.
The fireworks are very
special to our family; the
only thing I can think of
that would make it more
spectacular would be the
addition of patriotic music,
reminding each and every
person here that today is
truly about celebrating our
country and the independence
and freedoms we all
enjoy.”