The City of Highland Park’s popular 2018 Fourth of July Celebration is almost here! All events will occur on Wednesday, July 4. The theme for this year’s festivities is "Your Vote Counts!" in honor of the League of Women Voters 90th Anniversary. The League of Women Voters will serve as the 2018 Parade Grand Marshal.
Please find below a complete schedule of events for July 4th. As a reminder, City Administration Offices will be closed for the holiday and garbage will be delayed one day. We look forward to seeing you all there!
Children’s Bike & Pet Parade - 9:30 AM
Participants should meet at 9:15 AM in the lower level of the parking structure at the northwest corner of St. Johns and Laurel Avenues. All are welcome; no registration is required. For more info, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 847.432.0284 or info@chamberhp.com.
Independence Day Parade – 10 AM
The celebration continues with the annual Independence Day Parade hosted by the City and Park District. The parade features floats, marching bands, dignitaries, novelty groups, community entries and other special entertainment. The parade starts at the intersection of Laurel and St. Johns Avenues and heads north on St. Johns Avenue, then turns west on Central Avenue and continues to Sunset Park. For more info, contact Hayley Garard at 847.926.1043 or hgarard@cityhpil.com.
Fourth Fest – 11 AM - 2 PM
After the parade, the fun moves to Sunset Park for Fourth Fest, featuring: food, music, carnival rides, a petting zoo, games, and more. For more info, contact Cathy Fiori of the Park District at 847.831.3810 or cfiori@pdhp.org.
Bike Fair – 11 AM - 2 PM
The Bike Fair will coincide with the Park District of Highland Park Fourth Fest event in Sunset Woods Park. The City of Highland Park Police Department will be coordinating the Highland Park Bike Fair, which will offer bicycle and helmet safety checks, demos, bike rodeo, and raffles. Working Bikes will be accepting donations of new and used bicycles. For more information, please contact the City Manager’s Office at 847.926.1000 or cityhp@cityhpil.com.
Bitter Jester Music Festival & Fireworks - 4 PM
The grand finale of the Bitter Jester Music Festival will take place at Wolters Field at 4 PM. Food vendors are on site during the concert and leading up to the aerial fireworks display at 9:30 PM. The fireworks are best viewed from Wolters Field. Parking is available at Wolters Field, Highland Park Hospital’s East Parking Lot, or in the Highland Park Country Club parking lot. Residents are reminded that there is no parking permitted along Route 41 and Park Avenue West; Attendees are not permitted on the Highland Park Country Club grounds for the fireworks show. Alcohol is prohibited.
Happy Fourth of July!