Remembrance Ceremony

July 1, 2024: The Remembrance Ceremony has reached maximum capacity and online registration is closed. Please email cityhp@cityhpil.com, subject line "Wait List" to be put on a wait list should any tickets become available for this event. You must include your name, address, number of tickets being requested, and names of all individuals attending with you to be added to the wait list.

10 AM – Registration Required
Edgewood Middle School (929 Edgewood Rd.)

The City will host a remembrance ceremony at 10 AM. The program will be available in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language, and will include remarks from Mayor Nancy Rotering, faith leaders, and music. The remembrance ceremony will be open to the public via advance registration to ensure venue capacity. To protect the privacy of individuals in attendance, the ceremony will be held indoors. Learn more about the remembrance ceremony and register to attend.

Fourth Fest

Join your friends, family, neighbors, and the Park District at Sunset Woods Park (1801 Sunset Rd.) for an afternoon filled with family-friendly entertainment, rides, carnival games, a petting zoo, food trucks, and other fun activities. 4th Fest highlights include live entertainment from Radio Gaga, Nanny Nikki, and Jesse White Tumblers, and a reptile show with FrogLady! Entry to 4th Fest is free; attractions wristbands are $10. Skip the line and save time by pre-purchasing your 4th Fest attractions wristbands now through July 3 at the West Ridge Center (636 Ridge Rd.), the Recreation Center of Highland Park (1207 Park Ave. W), or Highland Park Bank & Trust (1949 St. Johns Ave.).

2024 Independence Day Events

The City of Highland Park and the Park District of Highland Park have a full day of community events planned for Independence Day 2024. The schedule of events is intended to balance the diverse needs within the Highland Park community by providing space for remembrance as well as familiar traditions. Events include a morning remembrance ceremony, a reimagined community parade in the afternoon along a new route in Downtown Highland Park, and the return of the family-friendly 4th Fest at Sunset Woods Park. There will not be a City or Park District evening event.

The temporary memorial, located in the Rose Garden adjacent to City Hall (1707 St. Johns Avenue), is always accessible to the public, and will be available on July 4, 2024. Visitors who may be concerned about re-traumatization from patriotic décor, floats, etc. related to the parade itself are encouraged to avoid visiting the memorial between 11 AM – 2 PM.

Community-Focused Parade

The City and Park District present “Sweet Home Highland Park,” a community-focused parade kicking off at 1 PM along a new route through Downtown Highland Park. The theme celebrates all that makes Highland Park special. The parade entry that most creatively embodies the “Sweet Home Highland Park” theme will be awarded “best in show” in three categories: neighborhood, community groups, and businesses, with winners recognized at the July 15, 2024 City Council meeting.

Our reimagined parade features a diverse line up of floats, vehicles, community organizations, dancers, and more... including the famed US Navy Band! Plus, keep an eye out for Highland Park's very own Community Service and Wellness Dog, Pawfficer Vinny Duke!

Pre-registration is not required to attend the Independence Day parade. Community members are encouraged to walk or bike to attend the parade. If you plan to drive to the parade, please park in the St. Johns Ave. parking deck, the Renaissance Place parking garage, the First St. lots north of Central Ave., or in the surface lots on the east side of the train tracks. Parking in the Port Clinton parking garage and First St. lots south of Central Ave. will not be possible due to road closures.

Additional Information

The City recognizes that community members may benefit from professional support in considering participation in Independence Day activities. The City’s Resiliency Division provides assistance including short-term counseling, resources and referrals, case management and needs assessments, and more. For information about support services available through the Resiliency Division, please contact Resiliency Manager Madeline Kati, LCSW, at mkati@cityhpil.com / 847.926.1036.

Information regarding Independence Day activities will be shared by both the City and Park District as planning continues. Updates from the City are available at www.cityhpil.com, and updates from the Park District are available at www.pdhp.org. Individuals are welcome to share their feedback via email to the City at cityhp@cityhpil.com.