Celebrate our nation and 150 years of Highland Park at this year’s Fourth of July Celebration! All events will occur on Thursday, July 4, 2019. The theme for this year’s parade is "HP150 – Happy Birthday, Highland Park!" in honor of the City’s 150th Anniversary. Descendants of the City’s first families will serve as the 2019 Parade Grand Marshals.
To Participate in the 2019 parade, please complete the 2019 Parade Application.
No Applications will be accepted after Wednesday, June 5.
As a reminder, City Administration Offices will be closed for the holiday. Garbage will be delayed one day.
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 route has changed. The parade route starts at the same location at the intersection of Laurel Avenue and St. Johns Avenue, proceeding on St. Johns to Elm Place, west on Elm Place, immediate south on First Street, west along Central Avenue, ending at Sunset Woods Park. For more info, contact Hayley Garard at 847.926.1043 or hgarard@cityhpil.com.
Big Bash/ Fourth Fest – 11 AM - 2 PM
After the parade, help celebrate Highland Park's 150th Birthday at the biggest party of the year! The party will take place at Sunset Woods Park and feature food, music, carnival rides, a petting zoo, games, entertainment, birthday cake, pie-eating contest, and other family-friendly games and activities.
Tentative Schedule of Events:
11:15 PM Highland Park Pops
12:00 PM Pie-Eating Contest
1:00 PM Happy Birthday Cake Cutting
1:15 PM Community Photo
Attractions: Carnival Rides, Petting Zoo, Pony Rides, Carnival Games, Inflatables, Climbing Wall. ($5/5 tickets available for purchase at the event)
HP150 Big Bash Events: Pie-eating contest, games, free HP150 birthday cake slices, all community photo
Live music:
Main Stage: Rod Tuffcurls and the Benchpress
Pavilion Stage: HP Pops
Food: available for purchase from Highland Park restaurants
Unlimited Ride Wristbands are available for pre-purchase for $20 June 25 – July 3 at Recreation Center of Highland Park, West Ridge Center, and Highland Park Bank and Trust (two locations – 1949 St Johns Ave & 623 Roger Williams).Wristbands are available for purchase at the event for $25. Ride tickets may also be purchased at the event: 5 tickets for $5. Food, beverages, and attraction tickets will be available for purchase. This is a cash only event.
Call for Volunteers
If you would like to be a Big Bash volunteer, please email cityhp@cityhpil.com for details.
Transportation
The Connector will be providing free rides for senior citizens and those with disabilities between the following locations:
- Highland Park Housing – 400 Central Ave.
- Walnut Place - 654 Walnut St.
- Big Bash Dropoff – 1830 Green Bay Road
Participating Businesses/ Sponsors
Bent Fork
Chicago Bears
Chicago Wolves
Jelly Belly
Michael's
Northwestern Athletics
For more info on Fourth Fest activities, contact Cathy Fiori of the Park District at 847.831.3810 or cfiori@pdhp.org.
For information about Big Bash events including the pie eating contest, senior transportation, and the community photo, contact the City 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, 1080 Park Ave W., 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.
Learn more about the Bitter Jester Music Festival...
