The Evanston Fourth of July Parade carries with it the tradition of saving spots days in advance. Each year the city’s residents fill the sidewalks and grassy medians to reserve their favorite viewing locations along the parade route, a ritual almost as old as the 103-year-old Independence Day celebration itself. 

Seth Weinert, 45, said he roped off a large 6-by-10 foot area on the side of Central Street for his family around 6:30 a.m. on July 1. Weinert, who lives a few blocks from the parade route, watches with a half dozen friends and relatives each year.

“There are definitely some diehards that are out here right at 6 a.m.,” he said. 

One of these diehards is Rick Morimoto, a Molecular Biology professor at Northwestern. Morimoto claimed his spot at 6 a.m. sharp on July 1. 

“At that point, half the spots were already filled. That must mean people were up all night,” Morimoto said. “This is Evanston.”

Morimoto said this year he watched the parade with his family, including his grandchildren Cohei, 7, and Naoki, 4. He looks forward to the way it brings families together. 

Around four decades ago, Evanston residents got so enthusiastic about the tradition of saving spots that the city was forced to take legal action. Passed in 1990, Section 7-2-9 (B) of the Evanston City Code allows eager viewers to set up their chairs and blankets “no earlier than six o’clock (6:00) A.M. on July 1 for the sole purpose of viewing the July 4 parade.” Despite this ordinance, many residents stake their claim to spots even before this deadline. 

“Who’s gonna stop somebody from putting a chair out early?” said Katie Cawley, 54. She watched the parade with her husband John Cawley, 62, from the door of their store, Harold’s True Value Hardware, on Central Street. The Cawley’s said they watch the parade almost every year from the doorway of their store, which their family has owned since 1977.

“Growing up, people used to put [chairs] out literally right after Memorial Day,” Katie Cawley said. “Before the city passed the ordinance.”

Prior to 1990, when Evanston passed this ordinance, the early claiming made it hard for homeowners along Central Street to mow their lawns and park their cars, John Cawley said. 

Space is limited and heavily sought after along Central Street, forcing parade-goers to think outside the box with their spot selection. Amy Heytow, 55, chose the exit of a bank’s drive-up window.

“I’ve been coming since I was a kid,” she said, pointing to the street nearby. “We’ve always been right around here.” 

Because of the novelty of their spot, Heytow and her friends said they bypassed the need to set up early. They arrived shortly before the parade began. Heytow loves the unity that the parade brings to Evanston, competitive spot saving and all.

“It brings everyone together,” she said. “It’s tradition, you know? It’s just fun to be out here.”