Welcome To The 2022
Skokie 4th Of July Parade
PARADE START TIME:
12:00 Noon
JULY 4TH, 2022
Roger Badesch from WGN Radio is back as our Parade Reviewing Stand announcer.
Registration for the 2022 Parade is now Open.
Parade Mailing Address:
Skokie 4th of July Parade, PO Box 702, Skokie IL 60077
Parade Phone: 224-592-0066
Registration for the 2022 Skokie 4th of July Parade is now open! ( There is a registration Fee of $125 for all Business and Political Entries for the parade. Business entries will be allowed one vehicle, additional vehicles are $50 each. You will be emailed an invoice once you complete your registration or you can click on the Donate button below and pay your registration fee by credit card. Click on this link for additional sponsorship options. Sponsorships. There is no registration fee for Community Groups, Religious Organizations, or Youth Groups.
If you want to donate to the Parade, just click on the donate button below and you can donate via credit card.
The Skokie 4th of July Parade follows strict rules of US Flag Etiquette. Please Click here for US Flag Etiquette Rules.
If you want to donate to the Parade, just click on the donate button below and you can donate via credit card.
The Skokie 4th of July Parade follows strict rules of US Flag Etiquette. Please Click here for US Flag Etiquette Rules.
Want to Volunteer, Click on the Volunteer Button to learn More
Skokie 4th of July Parade is Honored to Welcome
Our Grand Marshal
Justin M Johnson
The Skokie 4th of July Parade is proud to announce one of our 2022 Parade Grand Marshals and 2021 Illinois Teacher of the Year, Niles West Band Director Justin Johnson! Our Parade Grand Marshal come from those professions who were so important in helping us through the pandemic.
Mr. Johnson is the recipient of numerous awards and honors and in 2016, he was named a finalist for the Golden Apple Award and named Teacher of Distinction. In 2020 Mr Johnson was the recipient of the Zemsky Teacher of the Year award for Niles West High School. Join us in welcoming Justin M Johnson.
Our Grand Marshal
Justin M Johnson
The Skokie 4th of July Parade is proud to announce one of our 2022 Parade Grand Marshals and 2021 Illinois Teacher of the Year, Niles West Band Director Justin Johnson! Our Parade Grand Marshal come from those professions who were so important in helping us through the pandemic.
Mr. Johnson is the recipient of numerous awards and honors and in 2016, he was named a finalist for the Golden Apple Award and named Teacher of Distinction. In 2020 Mr Johnson was the recipient of the Zemsky Teacher of the Year award for Niles West High School. Join us in welcoming Justin M Johnson.
WGN's Very Own
Roger Badesch
Parade Master Of Ceremonies
Roger Badesch has spent more than 30 years in the broadcasting industry. At WKQX-FM, Badesch was general assignment reporter and co-host of a weekly public affairs program. Badesch was also a correspondent for Associated Press Radio, United Press International Radio and the Mutual Radio Network. Badesch served as news and sports director, news anchor, and reporter at radio stations in Las Vegas. He has covered such stories as the Pope’s visit to Chicago, several Presidential visits, and a 48 hour jail hostage siege. Today Roger is a News Anchor for WGN Radio 720 in Chicago.
Skokie 4th of July Parade is Honored to Welcome
Our National Anthem Singer
Wayne Messmer
Wayne Messmer grew up as a “city kid” on Chicago’s Southwest Side. As the volunteer P.A. Announcer for the Loyola University Hockey Team, the tape recording of the National Anthem broke before a game was about to start, so Wayne stepped up and took the microphone and sang it himself. Messmer’s extraordinary singing career started that very day at a college hockey game. and the rest was history.
The celebrated National Anthem soloist with the Chicago Blackhawks at the old Chicago Stadium, for 13 seasons in the NHL, and subsequently with the Chicago Wolves, Chicago Cubs and formerly the Chicago White Sox, he became known nationally as, “Chicago’s Voice of the National Anthem.”
Our National Anthem Singer
Wayne Messmer
Wayne Messmer grew up as a “city kid” on Chicago’s Southwest Side. As the volunteer P.A. Announcer for the Loyola University Hockey Team, the tape recording of the National Anthem broke before a game was about to start, so Wayne stepped up and took the microphone and sang it himself. Messmer’s extraordinary singing career started that very day at a college hockey game. and the rest was history.
The celebrated National Anthem soloist with the Chicago Blackhawks at the old Chicago Stadium, for 13 seasons in the NHL, and subsequently with the Chicago Wolves, Chicago Cubs and formerly the Chicago White Sox, he became known nationally as, “Chicago’s Voice of the National Anthem.”
Skokie 4th of July Parade is Honored to Welcome our
2022 Military Grand Marshals
SSG Paul Plotnik - US Army
A Chicago native, Paul retired from the army with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He went on to serve our community as a Chicago Public School teacher and an Assistant Public Defender. He was admitted as a lawyer in 1974. His professional memberships include numerous local, regional and national Bar Associations including North Suburban, Chicago, Illinois and American. He is also a former Member of the Board of Midwest Federation of Men's Clubs. We are Proud to Honor Paul at our Parade.
2022 Military Grand Marshals
SSG Paul Plotnik - US Army
A Chicago native, Paul retired from the army with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He went on to serve our community as a Chicago Public School teacher and an Assistant Public Defender. He was admitted as a lawyer in 1974. His professional memberships include numerous local, regional and national Bar Associations including North Suburban, Chicago, Illinois and American. He is also a former Member of the Board of Midwest Federation of Men's Clubs. We are Proud to Honor Paul at our Parade.
Skokie 4th of July Parade is Honored to Welcome our
2022 Military Grand Marshals
Gerald Jaffe - US Army
Born in New York City and grew up on the south side of Chicago. Gerald entered the Army in October of 1968 and took basic training at Fort Leonard Wood in Pulaski County Missouri and Advanced Infantry Training at Fort Lewis near Tacoma Washington. Spent time in Cambodia in 1070 blocking Cambodian corridors to Saigon. We are Proud to Honor Paul at our Parade
2022 Military Grand Marshals
Gerald Jaffe - US Army
Born in New York City and grew up on the south side of Chicago. Gerald entered the Army in October of 1968 and took basic training at Fort Leonard Wood in Pulaski County Missouri and Advanced Infantry Training at Fort Lewis near Tacoma Washington. Spent time in Cambodia in 1070 blocking Cambodian corridors to Saigon. We are Proud to Honor Paul at our Parade
Skokie 4th of July Parade is Honored to Welcome our
2022 Military Grand Marshals
MSG Hank Gould - IL Army National Guard
Hank is a long time Skokie resident and Pharmacist for over 50 years. Hank enlisted in the Illinois National Guard in 1949 at age 16. He specialized in small and large armaments as well as Transportation of Arms & Equipment for mobilization and deployment. He served at Illinois Guard Armories on Chicago Ave, Cottage Grove, Riverside and throughout Northern Illinois. Hank was Honorably Discharged as a retiree of 24 years of Valorous Army Service in 1973.We are Proud to Honor Paul at our Parade
2022 Military Grand Marshals
MSG Hank Gould - IL Army National Guard
Hank is a long time Skokie resident and Pharmacist for over 50 years. Hank enlisted in the Illinois National Guard in 1949 at age 16. He specialized in small and large armaments as well as Transportation of Arms & Equipment for mobilization and deployment. He served at Illinois Guard Armories on Chicago Ave, Cottage Grove, Riverside and throughout Northern Illinois. Hank was Honorably Discharged as a retiree of 24 years of Valorous Army Service in 1973.We are Proud to Honor Paul at our Parade
2019 Parade Photos
Sam & The Giant Wheel Is Back for 2020!
Skokie's 3D Fireworks Festival
At 5 p.m. the fun moves to Niles West High School (Oakton Street just west of the Edens Expressway) with "Skokie's 3-D Fireworks Festival," featuring food, drinks and music. The first 10,000 patrons to arrive will receive a free pair of 3-D glasses. The concert begins at 6:30 p.m., featuring The Goo Roos, followed by Mike & Joe. Childrens' games and face painting will also begin at 6:30 p.m.
The spectacular 3-D Fireworks Fest begins, at dusk.
At 5 p.m. the fun moves to Niles West High School (Oakton Street just west of the Edens Expressway) with "Skokie's 3-D Fireworks Festival," featuring food, drinks and music. The first 10,000 patrons to arrive will receive a free pair of 3-D glasses. The concert begins at 6:30 p.m., featuring The Goo Roos, followed by Mike & Joe. Childrens' games and face painting will also begin at 6:30 p.m.
The spectacular 3-D Fireworks Fest begins, at dusk.
Watch the entire 2016 Skokie 4th of July Parade