Event Details | We Are Highland Park

10:00 AM – Remembrance Ceremony
The day will begin with a remembrance ceremony at City Hall. Check in will begin at 8:30am. The ceremony will include a performance by the Highland Park Strings, remarks by Mayor Nancy Rotering and interfaith clergy, and a moment of silence at 10:14 AM. A Critical Response Team, made up of licensed clinicians to provide support to attendees as needed will be on site during the Remembrance Ceremony. Live Spanish and American Sign Language interpretation will be part of the ceremony. The remembrance ceremony will be live-streamed on the City's Facebook page and YouTube channel; the recording will be made available on the City's website after the holiday.

All attendees will need to have a digital or printed ticket and must go thru security to gain entry to the event. Please see the additional information provided on security and what is and is not allowed within the event perimeter. Be aware that a visible security presence will be on site at all City July 4th events. Be aware that added security measures may slow down entry lines, please plan accordingly.

11:00 AM – We Are Highland Park Community Walk
A community walk will begin at 11 AM, following the 2022 parade route. Check in for the walk only will be at St. Johns and Elm Place. The walk is a reminder of our beloved community tradition and symbolizes the reclaiming of our town as we build resiliency together. A Critical Response Team, made up of licensed clinicians, will be located throughout the walk to provide support to attendees as needed during the community walk. The community walk will not be a parade and will not include floats or performers. It is intended to be an opportunity for active participation as one Highland Park and does not include viewing.

The community walk will step off at two locations which will converge at the intersection of St. Johns Avenue and Central Avenue before turning west onto Central Avenue, ending at Sunset Woods Park (1801 Sunset Road).

- Attendees of both the Remembrance and Community Walk: Step off will be at City Hall (1707 St. Johns Avenue) heading north down St. Johns Avenue to Central Avenue, proceeding west on Central to Sunset Park.

- Attendees of the Community Walk only: Step off will take place on St. Johns Avenue north of Central, proceeding west on Central to Sunset Park.

Individuals who would like to participate in the community walk but who are unable to walk the full route (just under one mile) are invited to contact the City Manager's Office at 847.926.1000 / cityhp@cityhpil.com. The City has secured ADA transportation options for community members who need assistance, including seniors and individuals with disabilities; seats are limited. Please contact the City Manager's Office for more details and to reserve space in one of the vehicles.

11:30am-1:30pm Community Picnic
Bring your lawn chairs and picnic blankets and enjoy a fun relaxing picnic in the park with your friends and neighbors at Sunset Woods (1801 Sunset Road). All ages are welcome!

Live musical performances by Rod Tuffcurls & the Bench Press and the Highland Park Pops
Food (for purchase)
Family-friendly games and activities

Registration through the Park District of Highland Park is encouraged but not required

5:00 PM – Concert & Drone Show
EVENT AT CAPACITY REGISTRATION CLOSED
In the evening, community members will enjoy entertainment at Wolters Field (1080 Park Ave. W) featuring live music, food trucks, ice cream, and more, closing with a custom drone show display by Hire UAV Pros Drone Shows. Gary Sinise and the Lieutenant Dan Band will headline the musical portion of the evening at 7:30PM, with opening act Stolen Silver beginning at 6:30PM. Gates open at 5:00PM for the event. Seating will be available in the football stadium stands on a first come first served basis; standing room will be available near the stage on a floored area of the field, and participants will be able to bring blankets if they wish to sit in the exposed turf areas of the field north or south of the stage area. Registrants may choose to purchase a We Are Highland Park official t-shirt with all profits going direct to the Highland Park Community Foundation or make a direct donation to the Foundation.

This event has limited capacity however residents who wish to view the drone show only are welcome to view from the lawn north of the baseball fields along Park, or from the Staples parking lot. The drone show will also be filmed and broadcast at a later date on the City's YouTube channel. Please note that those without event tickets wishing to view the drone show from Wolters Field outside of the official event perimeter for the concert will not have access to the food truck area.

9:30 PM - Drone Show Only
In lieu of fireworks, at approximately 9:30PM a custom drone show will launch over Wolters Field from the southeast corner of the property and will last approximately 12-minutes. Registration is not required for those wishing to sit in the grassy area on the northwest corner of the Wolters Field property, between the northern most baseball field and Park Ave W. Please be advised that attendees wishing to sit in this area will still be required to go through security. The drone show will also have visibility from the Staples parking lot and will be filmed and broadcast at a later date on the City's YouTube channel.

Please note that those without concert event tickets wishing to view the drone show from Wolters Field outside of the official concert event perimeter will not have access to the amenities associated with the concert. Be aware that added security measures may slow down entry lines, please plan accordingly.