Evanston 4th of July Parade, 1957.

This is the once famous Evanston, Illinois Independence Day parade. I don't know how they did it (I was fairly young as you can see in the opening) but they brought in the entire Disney enterprise that year, leading with Walt Disney, followed by the Disney characters, Fess Parker, the guy who played Johnny Tremain, and a slate of Mouseketeers from the Micky Mouse Fan Club. This includes Jimmy, Annette, Roy, Karen and Cubby! The film was all captured on my parents standard 8mm. There were also some more local floats featured: the Mayflower, Little America (Antarctica), and the politically incorrect Hartzell Street Minstrels (I assume named after Hartzell Street in Evanston). Also found of shots of my family and my brother picking at his nose. Running time is 3:16 © Copyright 2011 Bruce Bruemmer.

[@vbsandlady]

Thanks for the post. I grew up in Skokie but went to Evanston Schools (District 65). My mother always took me to the Evanston 4th of July parade and to see the fireworks at Dyche Stadium (Northwestern). Many happy memories.

[@marthajmoore5656]

Omg! My sister just sent this to me. We were there!! I was 6 and she was almost 10 years old. What a wonderful gift your folks gave to us- and you - for digitizing and uploading it. I always thought my childhood was magical in Evanston and now I have proof!! Grateful! 🙏🤗

[@helenbaker8280]

I was in this parade on a "hospital" float ! My Dad was an Evanston policeman...I'll never forget this day !

[@bobmartin4254]

You were wondering how they got Disney. The annual celebration was sponsored by an organization called the North Evanston something or other. Inside Dyche Stadium there was always entertainers or acrobats along with fireworks ground displays. For 1957 my grandfather was in charge of putting it together. He had a friend who knew Disney through some connection with the Burlington railroad. They traveled together to California to meet with him and try to convince him them to come. I'm not sure how they sold him, but the Mousketeers were there and performed in Dyche Stadium.

[@hal109]

Wow. I saw that in 1957 but can't remember any of it. Back in the 50's, the Evanston parade was one of the big ones with many marching bands. The Shriners deemed it important enough to come out with their goofy little cars.
Now it's more of a neigborhood thing with little kids pulling wagons although some groups are bringing back the big floats.
Thanks for posting it!

[@azmax64]

Very cool, and in color! That's a rare added bonus. Thanks for sharing with the world.

[@donmauer3608]

My brothers and I were in that parade. I was 9, Tom was 8 and Robert was 5. We were the the Mouskaclowns. We were made-up as clowns, but had mouse ears made from felt hats. It was out first parade and we won an Honorable Mention. We rode our decorated bikes. We were in that parade for either five or six more years. (:B

[@daskawicz]

This is wonderful! My husband grew up in suburban Chicago, but I'm pretty sure there was nothing like this in the western suburbs!

[@robinwells3]

Thanks for posting this and thanks to your dad, I assume, for filming it. Great memory.

[@fenclbogus]

Great video Bruce! I can remember that day in my fading brain.

[@ChicagoGina]

I was born at 3:30 PM in Resurrection Hospital in Chicago on this very date!!!

[@dadorner]

I was there. Went to the show at Dyche Stadium as well. Only time the Mickey Mouse Club ever went out ofCalifornia for a public appearance. True.

[@Paulk9pg]

This kind of looks like the guy who filmed this was standing about 50 feet east of the corner of Bennett & Central on the north side of the street. Can anyone confirm or deny this?

[@you6382tube]

That was our spot too. Lawn chairs. Kitty-corner from Ackerman Park.

[@jimtroop9245]

Bruce I would like to use this video in a tribute project - how can i get ahold of you?