Taste of Highland Park
FRIDAY, JUNE 21 & SATURDAY, JUNE 22 | 5 PM - 10 PM
UPDATE - SPIN DOCTORS WILL NOW TAKE THE STAGE AT 6 PM SATURDAY NIGHT, INSTEAD OF THE PREVIOUSLY ADVERTISED 8 PM.
The City of Highland Park is bringing the ultimate lineup of entertainment and dining to The Lot (525 Central Ave.) with its opening festival, the Taste of Highland Park. Internationally-touring platinum artists Dishwalla and Spin Doctors headline, globally-recognized DJ Madrid returns as The Lot’s resident DJ, and 14 premier Highland Park food vendors are ready to satisfy every palate! Best of all, admission to this event is FREE for both days!
An unbelievable lineup of nationally-recognized bands will take the stage over the course of two evenings, June 21 & 22, from 5 PM - 10 PM:
FRIDAY, JUNE 21
• 5 PM - 6:15 PM: The Taste of Highland Park commences with the Chicago-based Jaren Grey Band’s unique brand of heartland rock covers and original songs
• 7 PM - 8 PM: Up next is famed 90s rock band Nine Days, known for their memorable hit “Absolutely (Story of a Girl)”
• 8:30 PM -10 PM: Platinum-selling band Dishwalla, famously known for fan-favorite and Billboard Award “Best Rock Song” of 1996 “Counting Blue Cars,” will wrap up evening one of the Taste
SATURDAY, JUNE 22
• 5 PM - 5:30 PM: Highland Park’s very own Uptown Music Theater opens evening two of the Taste with a Broadway Favorites Concert. Get a sneak peek of their upcoming production of Les Misérables; opening July 2024 and benefitting the Highland Park Community Foundation
• 6 PM - 7:30 PM: Alternative rock band Spin Doctors, best known for chart-topping hits including “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong” and the Grammy nominated song “Two Princes” take the stage
• 8 PM - 10 PM: TBD, weather-dependent
On-site vendors will bring a wide variety of food and drink including Mexican, Indian, American, Venezuelan, vegan/vegetarian, sweet treats, grilled items, pizza, wine, beer, cocktails, and more. Participating food vendors include Bella Ru Catering, BWB Shakes, Cafe Dacha, Curt’s Café, Indus Progressive Indian Dining, Judy’s Pizza, La Taquiza HP, Lynfred Winery, Michael’s Grill & Salad Bar, Pixca, Poke Burrito, Ravinia Brewing Company, Sugarcoated, and Tamales. Libations will be available for those 21 and older!
Getting to The Lot & Parking
The Lot is located at 525 Central Ave. at the intersection of St. Johns and Central Avenues in the heart of Downtown Highland Park. The entrance to The Lot is located at St. Johns and Park Avenue, on the north end.
Ample parking surrounds The Lot, including nearby surface lots, a two-level parking deck south of Central on First St. and St. Johns, and the Port Clinton parking garage. The City encourages guests to use non-motorized transportation where available. Bike racks are available at The Lot and in the immediate vicinity, and the Metra is a viable option, too. Information about parking in the City of Highland Park is available here.
The Lot is also easily accessible via public and non-motorized transport.
Metra - take UP-N to the Highland Park station, located a 4 minute walk from The Lot.
Pace Bus - take Highland Park/Highwood Route 472 to the St. Johns/Central stop, across the street from The Lot.
Bike/Walk - from the north, take the Robert McClory Bike Trail south to Vine Ave. Head east on Vine, turning south onto St. Johns Ave. From the south, take the Robert McClory Bike Trail north along St. Johns Ave. Bike racks are available at The Lot and in the immediate vicinity.
Sponsors
All events at The Lot are presented by the City of Highland Park with the generous support of: Porsche Audi Exchange, First Bank of Highland Park, Ballyhoo Hospitality, Highland Park Bank & Trust, Highland Park Community Foundation, and Mariani Landscape. Arbor Terrace, Baird & Warner, and Hive2o are proud sponsors of the Taste of Highland Park.
For more information on how to be a part of The Lot as a vendor or sponsor, please contact the City’s event management team, Ripple Public Relations, info@ripplepublicrelations.com, or call 847.432.6000.
Learn more about plans for the potential permanent buildout of The Lot here.
For more information about the City of Highland Park, please contact Amanda Bennett, Communications Manager, at abennett@cityhpil.com.
