Celebrate Highwood: 10th Anniv. Of Wed. Evening Gourmet Market

HIGHWOOD, IL (MAY 2018) – Celebrate Highwood is proud to mark the 10th anniversary of its acclaimed Evening Gourmet Market kicking off the season June 6th through August 29th, every Wednesday from 4:30-9:30 pm. Introduced in 2008, this one-of-a-kind outdoor market outgrew its original location in front of City Hall in 2012 and moved one block west to beautiful Everts Park (130 Highwood Avenue), and it continues to flourish. With over 60 vendors each week, this Evening Market brings community together to enjoy delicious food and drinks, local wares, live music, and the great outdoors in a family festival setting. It doesn’t get much better than a Wednesday Evening in Highwood.

“We are thrilled to be celebrating 10 years of our Evening Gourmet Market and reflecting on how Highwood has turned into a destination for family fun, food and entertainment on the North Shore,” says Eric Falberg, President of Celebrate Highwood and Highwood Alderman. “It is amazing to see all the people that come from all over to revel every Wednesday. It truly is unlike any other weekly outdoor market in the area.” In addition to the traditional vendors selling local produce, artisan breads, cheeses and wares, Everts Park turns it into a special event every week with live music, dancing, dining and drinking under the stars.

A weekly outdoor market of this caliber is hard to find. With its “Live Evening Concert Series” from 5:30-9pm, and “Ravinia Festival-like” atmosphere, families are encouraged to set up their picnic blankets and chairs and enjoy the evening in the park, dining on local goodies and jamming to the sounds of great local bands. This vibrant market has become a tradition for friends and family seeking great food, spirits and entertainment.

Encouraging the community to “make a night of it,” Highwood’s Evening Gourmet Market showcases a wide range of local produce, gourmet cheeses, homemade pastas, baked fare, assortments of breads and pastries and an array of Italian, Mexican, French and Irish delicacies. Guests are able to enjoy dinner and cocktails while exploring the market, catching up with friends, and listening to different live music acts each week.

This is also the second season Celebrate Highwood has received its 501(c)(3) standing, with the mission of raising funds for worthy non-profit organizations through its festivals and events. Although all events are FREE to the public, a portion of proceeds will benefit various charities.

Below is the full list of Celebrate Highwood 2018 Summer Events:

Highwood Wednesday Evening Gourmet Markets, Everts Park (130 Highwood Ave.)

June 6 – August 29, 4:30-9:30 pm

Inferno Fest, Everts Park

Wednesday, June 27, 4:30-9:30 pm

3rd Annual North Shore Taco Fest & 50th Anniversary of Highwood Days,

Highwood Metra Station Parking Lot

Thursday, July 19 – Sunday, July 22

Taco Run Saturday, July 21

8th annual Bloody Mary Fest, Everts Park

Sunday, July 29, 10am-5pm

8th Annual Garlic Fest, Everts Park

Wednesday, August 15, 4:30-9:30 pm

2nd Annual Nashwood, Downtown Highwood

Friday, August 24 – Sunday, August 26

And, to save the date for Fall:

The 9th Annual Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival, Downtown Highwood

Friday, October 5 – Sunday, October 7

“These summer events set the tone for the season,” says Falberg. “They bring communities together to celebrate what’s great about the North Shore.”

A special thanks to Celebrate Highwood Sponsors that help make producing the Highwood Evening Gourmet Market possible: The City of Highwood, 22nd Century Media, State Farm Brian Lock Agency, Highland Park Bank & Trust, and Renewal by Andersen.

ABOUT CELEBRATE HIGHWOOD

Formerly a collaboration between the City of Highwood and the Highwood Chamber of Commerce, the newly established 501(c)(3) Celebrate Highwood produces events that cater to the wants and needs of the citizens, businesses and visitors of Highwood. The goal is to build strong community spirit and establish Highwood as the prime entertainment destination for dining, festivals and events on the North Shore through inter-organizational collaboration, sharing resources and promoting the City as a wonderful place to live, eat and play. For more information on all of Highwood’s festivals, please visit http://www.CelebrateHighwood.org, www.facebook.com/celebratehighwood, or call 847-432-6000.