2nd Annual Food Truck Thursdays With Music in the Park

Food Truck Thursdays with Music in the Park’ will return to the Ravinia District June 7th through September 13th from 4:30 PM to dusk. Alfresco diners are invited to come and enjoy a variety of food and drinks from a rotating series of food trucks every week, along with adult beverages from local restaurants including Abigail’s American Bistro, Ravinia Brewing Company and the Ravinia District’s new Italian restaurant, Viaggio. Food Truck Thursdays will be held on Dean Avenue between Roger Williams and St. Johns Avenues, and in Jens Jensen Park, across from the Ravinia Metra Station.

“We are excited to bring people out this summer for Food Truck Thursdays to dine and listen to music in the beautiful Ravinia District,” says Katie Wiswald, Chair of the Ravinia Business District Association and Vice President at Highland Park Bank & Trust. “The historic Jens Jensen Park is the perfect setting for the community to come together and support local and small businesses.”

Each Thursday will feature more than a dozen food trucks along Dean Avenue, offering mouthwatering options including everything from freshly made Da Pizza Dude pizza to tasty poke bowls from Loop Juice and heavenly Beavers Coffee and Donuts made on site. Other food truck favorites include Chicago Lunchbox, Da Lobsta, The Fat Shallot, La Cocinita, Izakaye Yume, Louie B Fresh Mobile Kitchen, Mothers Truckn Good Food, Popcorn Jester, Rio Bamba, Sausage Fest, Swirl Café, Yum Dum, and more! Family-friendly crafts and activities in Jens Jensen Park will add to the fun.

While dining with family and friends, attendees can enjoy live music in Jens Jensen Park from 5:30-8:30 PM, sponsored by Ravinia District Special Service Area 17 property owners, Highland Park Community Foundation and Life Rhythms.

"This is going to be an epic summer season at Food Truck Thursdays as Music in the Park features a wide range of musical styles including World, Americana, Jazz, Rock'n Roll, Funk, and Swing & Soul,” says Noah Plotkin, Music Director.

This summer’s lineup includes:

June 7th:

5:30 pm - 8:00 pm — Radio Free Honduras, features Latin pop tunes including leader’s song

“Sopa de Caracol” which was the #1 Billboard Top Latin Songs hit in 1992

June 14th:

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm — House of Waters, world jazz

June 21st:

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm — Bowmanville, performs incredible swing tunes

June 28th:

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm — Jared Rabin Band, multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter, and

producer from Chicago

July 5th:

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm — In/Planes, vintage pop duo from New Orleans

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm — Pony Hunt, folk music with roots from New Orleans

July 12th:

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm — Devin in a Woodpile, blues

July 19th:

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm — Railheart, americana

July 26th:

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm — David Hawkins & Friends, singing songs that are both tough and gentle

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm — The Bassment Band, classic rock

August 2nd:

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm —We are the Northern Lights, Indie folk-pop with soul

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm — Todd Kessler, folk rock

August 9th:

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm — The Heavy Sounds, retro funk

August 16th:

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm — Don Stiernberg Trio, playing a collection of jazz tunes

August 23rd:

5:00 pm - 6:30 pm — Ben Tatar & The Tatar Tots, family friendly music for young audiences

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm — Spare Parts, performs blend of original funk-jazz music

August 30th:

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm — Ambiente, world folk

September 6th:

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm — Off The Wagon, Texas swing, Brazilian jazz, country, rock & roll, and funk

tunes

September 13th:

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm — Mal-O-Dua, Hawaiian folk hot jazz

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm — Mason Jiller Trio, Gypsy jazz

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. Ride the Metra north or south to Ravinia Station at Roger Williams in the Ravinia Business District, or take a Pace Bus. 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. Follow RaviniaDistrict.HighlandPark on Facebook for sneak peaks of weekly food trucks, music and event updates, or visit cityhpil.com/thingstodo.