Hyde Park’s summer tradition – the 4th on 53rd Parade and Festival – is back on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, kicking off at 11 a.m. from the Hyde Park Bank parking lot.
First organized by a group of Hyde Park residents and business owners in 1992; the event has grown to become the city’s largest July 4th parade with approximately 5,000 participants and attendees; including many state, county, and city elected officials.
The parade begins promptly at 11 a.m. with the sound of a fire truck’s siren. 4th on 53rd has been called the parade where “everyone marches,” as much of the community is involved. It features floats sponsored by local businesses, over 75 community groups, two marching bands, and a “bike brigade” – with over 100 kids and families decorating bikes, strollers, and wagons that set off down the 1.3-mile parade route.
SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER, MARCH & DONATE
The parade and festival need volunteers for various tasks, so please consider signing up here. Families, groups, businesses, and organizations are all invited to march, and may register here. Donations of any amount are much appreciated, whether you would like to make a personal donation or contribute with a corporate sponsorship.
FESTIVAL
After the parade, everyone is invited to participate in free activities at Nichols Park. Kids enjoy old-fashioned lawn games (with prizes for all!), two free bounce houses, a petting zoo, and a magician. The community stage showcases local youth group music and dance performances, cheerleading, and martial arts demonstrations.
The Community Performance Stage will feature the Hyde Park Youth Symphony at 12:15 p.m., Technique Gems at 12:40 p.m., the Kenwood School of Ballet at 12:50 p.m., 606 Karate and Self Defense at 1:10 p.m., the Hyde Park School of Dance at 1:30 p.m., Hyde Park Suzuki Institute at 1:50 p.m., and Marsha’s Music at 2:10 p.m. For more information on the performances, click here.
SUMMER SUNDAY CONCERT SERIES
The George Franklin Memorial Summer Sunday Concert Series consists of eight free concerts in Nichols Park on Sunday afternoons from 4-6 p.m. from July 9 through August 27 in musical genres that range from Chicago blues to country and everything in between. It is a delight to see everyone from young families with kids, to college students, to retirees dancing and relaxing in the park. This year’s series includes Billy Flynn (blues) on July 9, Akasha (reggae) on July 16, The Masters Collection (eclectic) on July 23, Barry and the Fountains (soul) on July 30, Bryant and the Blues Kings (blues) on August 6, Dave Herrero (contemporary roots and blues) on August 13, Sarah Marie Young (singer/songwriter) on August 20, and Love Seat (“comfy rock”) on August 27.
SPONSORS/PARTNERS
Sponsors for the 4th on 53rd Parade, Festival, and Concert Series include Downtown Hyde Park/SSA #61, Xfinity, the Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference (HPKCC), SOPHY Hyde Park, the University of Chicago Commercial Real Estate Operations (CREO), The Carolan Apartment Building, Hyatt Place, Hyde Park Bank, Kimbark Plaza Merchants Association, Small Cheval, Montgomery Place, Kaufman Dentistry, Stan’s Donuts and Coffee, Toni Preckwinkle (President of the Cook County Board of Commissioner), and State Senator Robert Peters. Partners include the Hyde Park Neighborhood Club, the Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce, the South East Chicago Commission, and the University of Chicago Office of Civic Engagement.
For more information on all the 4th on 53rd events, please visit the website and follow on Instagram and Facebook.