The Glenview Park District will present the Glenview 4th of July Parade and the Wintrust Twilight Fireworks show on Saturday, July 4.

The Glenview 4th of July Parade is generously sponsored by the Glenview Park Foundation and steps off at 11:20 a.m. from Harlem Avenue just north of Glenview Road. This year’s parade theme celebrates America’s 250th birthday. The parade travels south on Harlem, turns west on Central Road and ends at Johns Park. The Bike Parade, sponsored by Wesley Child Care Center and Edward Jones, will begin a few minutes before the main parade. Children ages 4 to 9 are invited to bring a decorated bicycle to the Prairie Street cul-de-sac just north of the Glenview Public Library by 10:30 a.m. Participation is free. Bike helmets are recommended. The bike parade begins at 11:15 a.m.

This year’s 4th of July Parade Grand Marshal is long-time Glenview resident and community leader Jim Patterson.

Jim Patterson has dedicated more than two decades of service to the Glenview community as a civic leader, volunteer and advocate. His community involvement began as Co-Chair of the Glenview Park District Farms and Fields Referendum Committee, a successful effort that helped shape the future of parks and recreation in Glenview and sparked his long-standing commitment to public service, including his leadership with the Glenview Park Foundation and later service on the Village Board.

Jim served two terms as Village President of Glenview from 2013 to 2021, following two terms as a Village Trustee from 2003 to 2011. During his time in village leadership, he helped guide major community initiatives, infrastructure improvements, long-range planning efforts and Glenview’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to serving on the Village Board, he was a member of the Glenview Plan Commission from 2000 to 2003.

A longtime community volunteer, Jim has made a lasting impact through his involvement with numerous local organizations. He is especially recognized for his leadership and service with the Glenview Park Foundation, where he has helped advance the Foundation’s mission to enhance parks, recreation and open space opportunities for the Glenview community. He started the Park Foundation’s Glenview 3v3 Summer Soccer Fest fundraiser, and has volunteered at the event since its inception in 2005. He has also volunteered with the Glenview Centennial Commission and Glenview’s American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO), serving as a coach, referee, board member, Long Range Planning Chair and Referee Administrator.

Jim graduated from the University of Tulsa with a degree in finance. He and his wife, Sheri, have called Glenview home since 1986, where they raised their three children.

The Wintrust Twilight Fireworks show in Gallery Park will feature a 25-minute fireworks display synchronized to music. Parking lots open for the Twilight Fireworks starting at 6 p.m. Food vendors at this year’s event will include Candy Cloud, Kona Ice, Lulu’s Roasted Corn, Rita’s Ice, Tacomotora, Tito Ice Cream and Yum Dum. The music gets underway at 6 p.m. as a DJ takes the stage at Gallery Park. The Glenview Concert Band is set to perform at 7 p.m., and the Glenview Bank & Trust Fireworks begin at approximately 9:20 p.m. Parking is $20. For more info or to make a donation, visit glenview4th.org.

Safety is a priority at all of our events. Keeping this in mind, we ask that attendees leave all family pets at home. Personal use of fireworks, e-bikes and drones is prohibited.