Chicago’s largest Fourth of July parade kicked off in Hyde Park, much to the excitement of regular attendees and new faces.

       For the first hour, dancers did cartwheels down 53rd Street, high school bands marched to the booming energy of the drum line, and children rode past on their bikes adorned in red, white and blue streamers.

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       City leaders including Mayor Brandon Johnson and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle waved to attendees sitting or standing in the shade. A cloudless sky made for bright and sunny conditions as the parade continued into the early afternoon.