Planning for next Independence Day is already underway in Highland Park, and will likely include a morning ceremony in memory of those killed and injured in the 2022 mass shooting, along with a traditional parade and festival in the evening.
The 2024 national holiday will mark two years since the city experienced a deadly mass shooting at its annual Independence Day Parade. Seven people were killed that July 4, 2022, while dozens more were injured.
During a City Council Committee of the Whole session on Oct. 10, city staff and council members started discussions on the most appropriate way to mark two years since the tragic events on Central Avenue.
Assistant City Manager Erin Jason presented a summary of Highland Park’s 2023 Fourth of July events and staff’s recommendations for 2024, including a return to a more traditional schedule.
Hosting a morning remembrance ceremony with separate evening July 4 activities was the favored plan among council members.
Learning from the past
City staff said a daylong slate of events, like what was held this past July, is “not sustainable” for future Independence Days. The day’s events required significant time commitments from staff and was a large expense for the city.
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About $280,000 was spent for Independence Day 2023, even with significant discounts and donations from partner agencies to help fund the events.
Five events took place throughout the day, including a remembrance ceremony, community walk, picnic, evening concert and drone display. The city took a lead on four of the events.
Over 100 city staff members worked some or all of the events, including many who worked 19-plus hours on the holiday. Additional volunteers from outside government agencies and volunteer groups helped execute the full day.
Staff said the city cannot rely on the same level of assistance received from outside agencies, and donations from community partners, to support future events.
Planning for the future
For the 2024 holiday, a consensus was reached among the council members to hold an indoor remembrance ceremony at around 10 a.m., marking the time when the first shots were fired in 2022.
An enclosed location for the ceremony is best for the safety and security of attendees, Jason said.
The return of a parade was also supported by council members, but they wanted to have a separation between the somber morning event and such celebratory activities.
Mayor Nancy Rotering voiced bringing back the, “classic community-based” parade, full of families, bikes, dogs and homemade floats.
It was decided the parade will take place in the early evening, and end at the location of a Fourth of July festival and entertainment.
Council members were also taking city staff’s time and work schedules into considerate while discussing plans.
A drone show was favored by council members over fireworks, to provide trauma-informed entertainment. It would also be inclusive for those who have sensory issues, and better for the environment and pets, Rotering added.
The council members asked staff to identify a different route for the parade, in order to be sensitive to those who are still recovering from the 2022 tragedy.
Additional entertainment, such as live music or a show, will be explored by city staff.
City Manager Ghida Neukirch said a recommendation with parade routes, entertainment options, parking plans and more will be presented to the council for final approval.