The City of Highland Park is hosting a series of Fourth of July events, including the return of its parade, on the two-year anniversary of the 2022 parade shooting.
Officials said they undertook a trauma-informed approach to planning Independence Day events with guidance from the U.S. Department of Justice and community-based mental health clinicians who have been working in Highland Park.
A remembrance ceremony is set to begin at 10 a.m. at Edgewood Middle School and will include remarks from Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering and faith leaders and feature music.
An Independence Day parade will begin at 1 p.m. with a new route through downtown Highland Park. Last year, the city held a “community walk” instead of a parade.
This year’s parade is called “Sweet Home Highland Park,” which city officials say is a community-focused parade that invites residents, community organizations and businesses to showcase their love for Highland Park with float design and festive décor that spotlight something special about the city.
Neighborhoods were encouraged to collaborate on a shared float or parade entry.
The parade entry that most creatively embodies the “Sweet Home Highland Park” theme will be awarded “best in show” in three categories: neighborhood, community groups and businesses.
Fourth Fest will begin at 1:30 p.m. following the parade’s conclusion. It will feature entertainment, rides, carnival games, a petting zoo and other family-friendly activities at Sunset Woods Park.
The city will not be sponsoring any evening event this year as it previously did.
Earlier this week, U.S. Congressman Rep. Brad Schneider along with U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth announced the introduction of a resolution expressing the condolences of Congress and honoring the memory of the victims of the shooting at the Fourth of July parade in Highland Park on July 4, 2022.
The seven killed in the shooting include Katherine Goldstein, 64, of Highland Park; Irina McCarthy, 35, of Highland Park; Kevin McCarthy, 37, of Highland Park; Jacquelyn Sundheim, 63, of Highland Park; Stephen Straus, 88, of Highland Park; Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, 78, of Morelos, Mexico; and Eduardo Uvaldo, 69, of Waukegan.
The House version of the resolution was introduced last week with support from 13 other Members of Congress from Illinois. The Senate version will be officially introduced when the Senate is back in session on July 8.