Highland Park Fourth Of July 2017 Parade And Events

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — For Highland Park's 2017 Fourth of July Celebration, all events will be taking place on Tuesday. The theme for this year's festivities, which get underway with a children's bike and pet parade, is "Celebrate Community Service." Morning parades celebrating the 241st birthday of the United States will be followed by Fourth Fest in Sunset Park. And before the fireworks begin, it's the grand finale of the summer-long student band showdown.

Also, all Highland Park administrative offices, as well as the recycling center, will be closed for the holiday. Garbage pickup will be delayed one day.

Children’s Bike & Pet Parade - 9:30 a.m.

Participants should meet at 9:15 a.m. in the lower level of the parking structure at the northwest corner of St. Johns and Laurel Avenues. For more info, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 847.432.0284 or info@chamberhp.com.

Independence Day Parade – 10 a.m.

The celebration continues with the annual Independence Day Parade hosted by the City and Park District. The parade features floats, marching bands, dignitaries, novelty groups, community entries and other special entertainment. The parade starts at the intersection of Laurel and St. Johns Avenues and heads north on St. Johns Avenue, then turns west on Central Avenue and continues to Sunset Park. For more info, contact Hayley Garard at 847.926.1043 or hgarard@cityhpil.com.

Fourth Fest – 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

After the parade, the fun moves to Sunset Park for Fourth Fest, featuring: food, music, carnival rides, a petting zoo, games, and more. For more info, contact Cathy Fiori of the Park District at 847.831.3810 or cfiori@pdhp.org.

Bitter Jester Music Festival & Fireworks - 4 p.m.

Now in its 12th year, the Bitter Jester Music Fest holds its Grand Finale Concert at Wolters Field leading up to the fireworks! Winning bands are selected by professional and celebrity judges during preliminary battles every Friday night in June at 7:00 PM at Port Clinton Square. Eight semi-finalist bands then compete against each other on the 4th of July for over $20,000 in combined cash and other prizes and the chance to be named the 2017 Grand Champion! Food, drink, and dessert vendors will be on hand all night long.

The fireworks are best viewed from Wolters Field.

Parking is available at Wolters Field, Highland Park Hospital’s East Parking Lot, or in the Highland Park Country Club parking lot.

Residents are reminded that there is no parking permitted along Route 41 and Park Avenue West; Attendees are not permitted on the Highland Park Country Club grounds for the fireworks show. Alcohol is prohibited.

» via the City of Highland Park