Community Walk, Drone Show To Replace Highland Park Parade, Fireworks

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Plans for 4th of July events sponsored by the city and park district of Highland Park will be themed, "We are Highland Park."

Park district and city officials have adopted a trauma-informed approach to planning community events and activities for July 4, 2023, according to staff.

The annual fireworks display will not be held on July 4, and the Bitter Jester Music Festival, which traditionally holds a grand finale concert ahead of the fireworks, will instead take place during the Taste of Highland Park on June 25.

The theme "focuses on who we are as a community," and the day's events have been set up to allow people to participate in whatever way is most comfortable.

“The events planned for July 4, 2023, will focus on our community. We know that the day will be filled with emotion as we mark the one-year remembrance of the Highland Park shooting," Mayor Nancy Rotering said in a statement.

Scheduled events begin with a 10 a.m. remembrance ceremony at City Hall, which will include a performance by Highland Park Strings, comments from Rotering and local interfaith clergy and a moment of silence at 10:14 a.m. to mark the moment shots were fired a year earlier.

At 11 a.m., a community walk will take place along the 2022 parade route. The wall will begin at City Hall, 1707 St. Johns Ave., and head north on St. Johns Avenue before turning west on Central Avenue and ending at Sunset Woods Park.

The event will not be a parade and will not include floats, performers or viewing, according to staff. Rather, it is meant to symbolizing the "reclaiming of our town as we build resiliency together," according to staff.

To take part in the one-mile walk, community members will be encouraged to register in advance. Bicycles and vehicles will be prohibited. Those who would like to take part for a portion of the walk were asked to contact the city manager's office, which is researching options for seniors, those with disabilities and others who may need assistance.

"We have carefully planned events and activities that will allow our community the time and space to remember the seven individuals who were taken from us too soon, opportunities to gather and connect, and provide us with the chance to celebrate Independence Day together as we create new traditions and memories," Rotering said.

At 11:30 a.m., an Independence Day Community Picnic at Sunset Woods Park will include live performances, food and family-friendly games and activities.

“The picnic is an opportunity for families, friends, and neighbors to come together for a relaxing afternoon to enjoy each other’s company and our community, while also keeping the tradition of celebrating our country’s independence," Terry Grossberg, park board president, said in a statement. " We are pleased to present activities for people of all ages and abilities.”

An evening event is planned at Wolters Field, with live music, ice cream novelties and a custom drone show, which has replaced the fireworks show in consideration of noise concerns and the city's sustainability efforts, according to staff.

City and park district staff encouraged residents to be understanding of neighbors with differing comfort levels surrounding the day, suggesting that community members opt for whatever activities are most comfortable to them.

According to staff, all performers have been finalized for the July 4 events. But the park district is looking for volunteers to help with the community picnic, who may help with pre-event planning, event set-up and teardown, as well as coordinating, implementing, and supervising games and activities. Those interested in volunteering can fill out an online form.