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July 4 Events: General Information

Home More News July 4 Events: General Information

July 1, 2023 -- The City and Park District are working collaboratively to develop events and activities using a trauma-informed approach with the goal of balancing the diverse needs that have emerged in the wake of the Highland Park shooting. The theme, “We are Highland Park,” focuses on who we are as a community. The day’s events will be flexible and structured to allow community members the opportunity to participate in the way that is most comfortable and meaningful for them.

Schedule of events for July 4, 2023:

View an overview of events. Browse the Q&A. View event maps, which include parking and bike rack locations.

Information for event attendees: All registered guests will receive an email from "2023 We Are Highland Park" (events@enmotive.com) that contains the following information:

  • An orange link box to "View Your Tickets." Be sure to click this link to save, print, or screenshot the QR code(s) that are required for entry. As a reminder, each individual will need a unique QR code to access the event area. If you registered multiple guests under your name, your ticket link will display your name on the QR codes, but identify each unique code as "Ticket 1, Ticket 2, etc." Be sure to forward these codes to the members of your group.
  • Event arrival times, parking maps, and logistical information.
  • Security protocols and prohibited items.

Please read the information carefully and forward to anyone attending with you. All attendees are responsible for complying with the requirements for each event.

If you did not receive this email confirmation and ticket link, please check your spam or junk mail for an email from events@enmotive.com. If you cannot find the email, please send us a message at cityhp@cityhpil.com.

Support services will be available during the remembrance ceremony at City Hall and throughout the Community Walk Route. The Crisis Response Team (CRT) support includes:

  • Trained English- and Spanish-speaking crisis counselors (City Hall and along the Community Walk route)
  • Therapy dogs (City Hall)

For more information, visit cityhpil.com/july4.

Event Text Notifications: To receive day-of notifications about the community events on July 4, 2023, simply text HPJULY4 to 67283. Upon successful enrollment in text notifications, individuals will receive a confirmation message. The City will use this tool in the event of a weather cancellation or other emergency. The City will not issue text event reminders or programmatic updates; please continue to follow us on social media and in eNews for this information.

Road Closures: To facilitate public safety measures during the July 4 events, numerous roads throughout Downtown Highland Park will be closed beginning at 4:00 AM on Tuesday, July 4. Signage has been posted at all affected roads. For the morning events in Downtown Highland Park, the City anticipates reopening road closures by 2:00 PM. View a map of Downtown Highland Park road closures.

Additionally, closures will also affect roads in the immediate vicinity of Wolters Field, as indicated on the Wolters Field event map. Although Park Ave. W. will remain open as a critical thoroughfare, please drive with caution during the evening event times (5:00 - 10:00 PM) given the anticipated heavy pedestrian traffic.

Parking options:

  • Remembrance Ceremony & Community Walk: Multiple parking lots and plentiful on-street parking will be available for individuals driving to attend morning events in downtown Highland Park. Click here for a list of parking options.
  • Independence Day Community Picnic: Parking is available at Sunset Woods Park and Highland Park Hospital. Please be aware that access to the Park will only be available via Park Ave. W.
  • Wolters Field Evening Parking:
  • Highland Park Rec Center Lot (1201 Park Ave. W., first-come, first-served)
  • Highland Park Hospital Lot (777 Homewood Ave off of Park Ave West; southeast lot)
  • Staples Parking Lot (1931 Skokie Valley Road, via Park Avenue Driveway)
  • Sunset Woods Park Lot (1801 Green Bay Road)

Bicycle Parking: Additional bike racks will be located in the pocket park at Elm Place just north of St Johns and in the northern section of the West Central Train Station parking lot.

Metra: Please be advised that there will be no train service to the Highland Park Central Train Station between 9:20 AM - noon on July 4. View the special schedule for Metra on July 4, 2023.

View event maps, which include parking and bike rack locations.