Food Truck Thursdays Return June 1
Food Truck Thursdays return to the Ravinia District in the City of Highland Park June 1 through September 21, 2023, from 4:30 PM to dusk on Dean Avenue between Roger Williams and St. Johns Avenues and Jens Jensen Park across from the Ravinia Metra Station.
"Food Truck Thursdays are a summer staple in the Ravinia District,” said Carolyn Hersch, Business Development Manager at the City of Highland Park. “There’s nothing better than the community enjoying the live music, great food, and a family-friendly atmosphere outside in the summertime!"
Alfresco diners are invited to come and experience various food offerings and drinks from more than a dozen rotating food trucks every week on Dean Avenue. Guests can also enjoy beer and wine selections from Ravinia District restaurants Abigail's American Bistro and Ravinia Brewing Company.
Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs or dine at one of the many picnic benches in Jens Jensen Park while enjoying live music (weather permitting) from 4:30-8:30 PM (June-August) and 4:30-8 PM (September). The eclectic 2023 musical lineup includes a robust variety of genres as well as special theme nights for all-ages fun! Three theme nights will encourage guests to arrive in costume, enjoy interactive kids activities, and be ready to dance to music of the 80’s (June 15), Country (July 20), and Grateful Dead (August 17).
“To accommodate all of the families coming out early, we’ll be kicking off every concert at 4:30 sharp with live music, including special kid-centric performances peppered throughout the summer,” says Noah Plotkin, music manager with Life Rhythms. Opening acts and family programming will run from 4:30-5:45 PM with the headliner playing from 6-8:30 PM June-August and 6-8 PM in September.
Check out the lineup:
JUNE 1:
Jay O’Brien & Allison Zabelin Duo – Folk Pop
Bowmanville - Hot House Swing Band
JUNE 8:
Ian Leith – Classic Folk
True Believers – David Bowie Cover Band
JUNE 15 (Music of the 80’s Theme Night):
New Vintage Strings - 80’s String Cover Band
Dec8de - 80’s Cover Band
JUNE 22:
Ravinia Ramblers Trio – Folk Americana
Jared Rabin Band - Americana
JUNE 29:
Wavy Dave’s Music Hour - Children’s Entertainers
Radio Free Honduras – Latin Rock
JULY 6:
Life Rhythms Drum Circle – Community Drum Circle
Basement Band – Classic Rock
JULY 13:
Gandy Gumbo - Children’s Entertainers
Verzatile – R&B and Soul
JULY 20 (Country Music Theme Night):
Jeanie B - Children’s Entertainer
Billingsley & Earp – Honky Tonk Country
JULY 27:
Noah’s Jam Jam Bourrée- Children’s Entertainers
Dime Store String Band – Bluegrass
AUGUST 3:
David Hayes – Children’s Entertainer
Big Shoulders Brass Band – New Orleans Brass Band
AUGUST 10:
Highland Park Players – Broadway-style Entertainment
Taylor Morse Band – Classic Rock
AUGUST 17 (Grateful Dead Theme Night)
Ben Tatar & The Tatar Tots – Children’s Entertainers
Railheart – Music of the Grateful Dead
AUGUST 24
Curt Sipe Quartet – Jazz Swing Trio
La Tosca – Italian Mambo Ensemble
AUGUST 31
Gerry Field & Friends – World Jazz Folk
Fur Mountain – Original Laurel Canyon Inspired Rock with Classic Covers
SEPTEMBER 7:
Pierce Crask – Americana Blues
Dave Specter - Chicago Blues
SEPTEMBER 14:
The Desert Birds Trio – Local Swing Trio
DiamondBack – Classic Country
SEPTEMBER 21:
Lee Street Heaters – Ravinia Business Owner’s Jazz Fusion Quartet
Extra Crispy Brass Band – New Orleans Inspired Brass Band
For sneak peeks of weekly food trucks and event updates, be sure to like and follow RaviniaDistrict.HighlandPark on Facebook, @RaviniaDistrict on Instagram, or visit enjoyhighlandpark.com/foodtrucks.
Food Truck Thursdays are presented by the City of Highland Park and the Ravinia District Special Service Area 17 property owners. Bensidoun USA manages the events with music coordinated by Life Rhythms, Inc. and co-sponsored by the Highland Park Community Foundation. Additional sponsors include Arbor Terrace, Banner Kitchen & Bath Showroom, Gearhead Outfitters, and Irina Makkai Classical Ballet and Dance School.
The public is encouraged to walk or bike along the enhanced Green Bay Trail - Robert McLory Bike Trail that leads into the charming Ravinia District. The Ravinia District of Highland Park is easily accessible from north or south by riding the Metra to the Ravinia Station, Pace Bus, or if traveling by car, Highland Park is easily accessible via north Lake Shore Drive to Sheridan Road, US 41 and 294. Exit Clavey Road east to Green Bay Road and east on Roger Williams Avenue. Free parking is available.