 The official mark of the sesquicentennial was released in October 2018. Aesthetic elements of the City’s sesquicentennial celebration paint a picture of Highland Park’s distinction by commemorating the City’s past, honoring its present accomplishments, and reflecting the City’s future ambitions. The archives yielded a logo used by the City in the late 60s which is both historical and modern and uniquely Highland Park. |
 Artistic Map of Highland Park by Mark McMahon now available in the HP150 web store. |
The City of Highland Park is celebrating its sesquicentennial (150th anniversary) in 2019 with highly visible special events, concerts, City tours and more. Plans are underway for a wide variety of activities which will bring the community together to celebrate the community and its wonderful history. There are a number of ways to get involved with the celebration and make 2019 a year to remember.
The Sesquicentennial provides a unique opportunity to reflect on the rich history of the City and bring the community together to move towards a future that celebrates our vibrant city and the people who continue to make it an outstanding place to live, work and play.
Purchase an HP150 Commemorative Book
Purchase your HP150 Commemorative Book today! The book is filled with rich city history, historic and current photographs, and an eloquent overview of the 2019 celebrations. Books can be picked up at City Hall, 1707 St. Johns once they are available.
To order a book, please visit City Hall or send a check and the attached information to:
City Hall
1707 St. Johns Ave.
Highland Park, IL 60035
Attn. Jennifer Dotson/ Commemorative Book
Price - $25
Shipping is available for an additional $5 for one book or $10 for two - four books.
Purchase a Personalized HP150 Donor Brick
Back by popular demand - the City of Highland Park invites the community to participate in the final call for the “Donor Brick Program” to support the Sesquicentennial Celebration in 2019. The bricks purchased through the second-round of the program will join the first round of bricks already installed at the newly named Sesquicentennial Park at the intersection of Deerfield Road, Hickory Street, and Laurel Avenue in spring of 2020.
This is a final call for this unique and timeless opportunity for recognizing individuals, schools, teams or businesses with a brick, or a series of bricks, featuring a personalized message or name. The commemorative bricks are 4” x 8” crafted with a customized message rendered in deep-relief. Each paver can be inscribed with up to 3 lines and up to 13 characters per line. Placement of bricks will be random. Cost per brick including engraving is $150.
Second round Brick Orders are due to City Hall by November 18, 2019 at 5 PM.
Brick Form
Get Involved
HP150 Calendar of Events
*Subject to change
| Event | Date |
| MLK Day of Service -150 service projects campaign | January 21 |
| HP150 Highland Park Strings Concert at Ravinia | February 10 |
| Opening of Centennial Time Capsule | March 11 |
| HP150 Apparel and Merchandise Store Open (Artistic Map of Highland Park) | April TBD |
| Focus on the Arts Night of Italian Songs (Sister Cities Foundation event) Highland Park's Voices of the Past |
April 9 - 12 April 10 April 13 |
| Arbor Day |
April 27 |
| Mexico's Day of the Child, el Dia del Niño (Sister Cities Foundation event) | April 27 |
| Historic Home Celebration | April - May |
| Art in Highland Park Tour Architecture Bus Tour Hollywood in Highland Park Tour HP150 Highland Park Strings Concert at Highland Park High School |
May 11 May 11 May 11 May 19 |
| Highland Park Architecture Tours by Chicago Architecture Center | May - October |
| Go Highland Park Community Walk HP150 Historic Bike Tour HP150 Bitter Jester Music Festival |
June 8 June 29 June - July |
| Big Bash, Fourth Fest, Parade, and Fireworks (Entertainment, Birthday Cake, Pie Eating Contest, Relay Races, and Other Family-Friendly Games) |
July 4 |
| National Night Out North Shore Venetian Night Port Clinton Art Festival Food Truck Thursdays |
August 6 August 17 August 24-25 June - September |
| Ravinia Farmers Market |
June - October |
| Pieces of History Puzzle Project | August - September |
| Stupey Cabin Harvest Fest and Tours |
September 14 |
| HP150 Quilt Unveiling Open Doors Highland Park |
September 23 September 28 |
| HP150 Fire Department Pancake Breakfast HP150 Sculpture Unveiling |
October 6 October 29 |
| Sesquicentennial Time Capsule Dedication HP150 Light Up the Night |
November 12 November 16 |
| Post- 2019 Display of Service Projects | 2019-2020 |
HP150 Sponsors
| Lead Sponsor ($10,000) |
Millennial Sponsor ($5,000) |
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($7,500) |
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| Centennial Sponsor ($1,000) |
Era Sponsor ($500) |
| Facchini Family | Rotary Club of Highland Park/ Highwood |
| Dolores Kohl Education Foundation | Jack & Donna Greenberg |
| Clifford Moos | Myron & Eleanor Lieberman |
| Jewel-Osco | Susan and David Ruder |
| American Legion Post #145 | David & Cynthia Brunjes, Craftwood Lumber & Hardware |
| Exmoor Country Club | Gary Gordon & Marilyn Hirsch |
| Cindy Wolfson | Joyce and David Dlugie |
| Jeffrey Zivin | |
| Ronald S. Katch | |
| Menoni & Mocogni, Inc. | |
| Pasquesi Plumbing | |
| ComEd | |
| Highland Park City Council | |
| Carol S. Honigberg | |
HP 150 Committees
Mayor Nancy Rotering established an HP150 Steering Committee in January 2017 to plan and guide the celebrations of the City and its people. The Steering Committee consists of government officials, community leaders, residents and businesses owners. The City held a public “idea summits” on May 10 and 16, 2017, to encourage communitywide brainstorming. Nearly 200 ideas were generated from the summits.
Nine subcommittees consisting of Communications, Art, Architecture, Service, Commemorative Book, the Big Bash, History and Archives, Business and Fundraising prepared work plans and event calendars for 2018-2019 based on ideas generated at the idea summits and during their subcommittee meetings. From these submissions, a Master Work Plan was drafted by City staff, taking into consideration opportunities to combine efforts, avoid duplication of events and programs, cost considerations and event fatigue.
Meetings
Sesquicentennial Planning Meeting Agenda - October 22, 2018
Sesquicentennial Planning Meeting Agenda - January 18, 2018
Sesquicentennial Planning Meeting Agenda - March 15, 2017