'Redhead Days' Return To Highwood

HIGHWOOD, IL — For the third year in a row, Highwood will be entering the red zone as it prepares to greet thousands of redheads from around the world for the only United States affiliate of the world-renowned Redhead Days festival.

Redhead Days began in Breda, Holland, back in 2005. It takes place in September and attracts participants from six continents and more than 50 counties. Its creator, Bart Rouwenhorst anticipated that his event would eventually “expand to multiple events, maybe across the world.” It currently has affiliate festivals in London and Chicago. The Chicago area event is being presented by Alex's Washington Gardens, Ginger's of Highwood and Redhead Pian Bar.

Organizer Jim Jim Stoecker, owner of Alex’s and Ginger’s, first came upon Redhead Days when he chanced upon the seventh annual festival in Breda while biking across Europe in 2012. He brought it to Highwood to celebrate special bond redheads share with one another.

“I’m thrilled to be presenting the 3rd year of Redhead Days Chicago Affiliate,” says Stoecker. “The support is overwhelming and really highlights the kinship within our community of reds and beyond.”

Last year's Redhead Days brought out more than 4,000 people, including 1,100 registered redheads. One of the festivals annual highlights is the chance to capture an image of the country's largest gathering of redheads in an aerial group photo. More than 750 redheads were photographed last year. Each year, Dutch organizers select an official color to encourage participants to wear. The 2017 official color is green.

2017's Redhead Days will take place at Everts Park, 130 Highwood Avenue, and feature two days of live music, local food vendors, beer, wine and other red-themed cocktails and soft drinks, a Carrot Cake Throwdown, petting zoo, pony rides, bounce houses and other activities for all ages.

The event kicks off (unofficially) on Friday June 9th at 5 pm, with a pre-party at Redhead Piano Bar (16 W. Ontario St., Chicago), featuring the world’s largest Redhead toast to kick off the weekend’s festivities.

Hours onsite are Saturday 11 am-9 pm (with an after-party going through the night at Ginger’s in Highwood with live music, drink and food specials) and Sunday 11 am-5 pm.

Admission is free, but all Redheads will be asked to register on-site to be a part of the count for most Redheads gathered in one place.

Highlights include:

• Erin La Rosa, Buzzfeed’s Deputy Editorial Director and @SideofGinger on Twitter, will be reading excerpts of her “Inside the Secret Society of Red Hair: The Big Redhead Book” and posing for pictures with attendees (1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday)
• Famous Carrot Cake Throwdown will be judged by a panel of renowned local personalities (2 p.m. - 4 p.m., winner announced at 3 p.m. Saturday)
• Fest organizers will capture an aerial photograph with the Country’s largest gathering of Redheads donned in green above Everts Park (3 p.m. Sunday)
• Saturday, June 10 contests: including an 11:30 a.m. hula-hoop, 12:30 p.m. reddest dog, 4:30 p.m. Most redheads in one family, 5:30 p.m. longest red hair and 6:30 p.m. longest beard.
• Sunday, June 11 contests: including 11:30 a.m. hula-hoop, 12:30 p.m. furthest redhead traveled to attend, 2:30 p.m. reddest hair and famous redhead lookalikes at 4 p.m.
• Ronald McDonald onsite Sunday, June 11 at 2 p.m.
• Live music all day Saturday and Sunday from School of Rock, Jeanne Tanner (June 11 from 12-3pm), John Zamojcin (June 10 from 4-7 pm) and headliners Identity Crisis (June 10 from 7-9pm) and more.
• "Hauntingly fun" redheaded arcade games.
• Food vendors covering all palates in addition to adult beverages including red wine, Master Mix bloody mary’s, kiddie cocktails, and specialized Van Gogh (a redhead himself) vodka drinks.
• Henna, face painting, tarot card/psychic readings, wax hands, petting zoo and pony rides.

» via Redhead Days in Highwood

Top photo: Redhead Days 2016 | Credit: Amy Dayton