HIGHWOOD PREPARES FOR 2012 SUMMER FESTIVAL SEASON, CELEBRATING ITS 125TH ANNIVERSARY

HIGHWOOD, IL (APRIL 2012) – The City of Highwood, Illinois is preparing for an exciting festival season showcasing food and fun for all ages. This year will prove to be Highwood’s biggest and best yet, as the city is celebrating its’ 125th Anniversary! The summer season will kick off on June 13th with the weekly Evening Gourmet Farmers Market, the beloved North Shore Flea Market, and the new Art in the Park, which are all being moved to Everts Park and will run every Wednesday evening until September 12th from 4-9pm. The first festival of the summer will be the Third Annual Bloody Mary Fest on June 24th. Then, from July 26th-29th, the classic Highwood Days will return, followed by the Second Annual Garlic Fest on August 15th. A new festival this year will be Inferno Fest, held on the last night of the Farmers Market on September 12th. The famous and annual record-breaking Pumpkin Fest will return again, from October 18th-20th. The festival season will culminate poignantly with Highwood for the Holidays in honor of our military on December 2nd. 

•    Evening Gourmet Farmers Market, North Shore Flea Market, & Art in the Park – June 13th-September 12th- This event occurs every Wednesday night in the summer, from 4-9pm, rain or shine! This year, the venue is moving to Everts Park, (130 Highwood Avenue) located between Highwood Avenue and North Avenue (just West of Green Bay Road) in order for more space, greener scenery, better lighting, and more parking. This vibrant farmers market has become a tradition for friends and family seeking great food, spirits and entertainment. Guests are able to enjoy dinner and cocktails, while exploring the market and listening to different live music acts each week. North Shore Flea has become a beloved add-on to this gourmet farmers market, showcasing new items each week including furniture, décor, jewelry, vintage records, clothing, accessories and so much more. And, new for 2012 is Art in the Park, where local artists can showcase their unique art pieces alongside the rest of the amazing vendors. 

•    Third Annual Bloody Mary Fest - June 24th 10am-5pm- Back by popular demand, attendees can taste a plethora of unique Bloody Mary concoctions, and even join the competition to make the best Bloody Mary in town with both professionals and amateurs welcome! Live music and lots of fun family activities will line the streets as well. The day will also begin with a “Bloody Buddy” 5k race, in which runners can have a friendly competition and come together to celebrate afterwards with delicious concoctions! The festival will be held from 10am-5pm in Everts Park.

•    Highwood Days – July 26th-29th- This year marks the 45th anniversary of Highwood’s oldest festival. Complete with carnival rides, funnel cakes, a beer garden, live music and tons of food from local vendors – this is the most traditional festival and will not disappoint!

•    Second Annual Garlic Fest - August 15th- From 4-9pm, in conjunction with the Farmers Market, this festival pays tribute to one of the most popular culinary flavors and medicinal remedies nature has to offer! After last year’s success, Garlic Fest is coming back to stink up Highwood once again, with some new garlic creations and to crown a new Garlic Queen! Attendees will be introduced to all different food items made with garlic including ice cream, candy and baked goods, as well as traditional garlic recipes. This year will have even more competition for the best Savory Garlic Creation and the best Sweet Garlic Creation, so be sure to bring your best recipes, appetite, and some breath mints! 

•    First Annual Inferno Fest - September 12th- Making its debut on the last Farmers Market of the season from 4-9pm, this is the city’s newest venture in festivals. For spicy food enthusiasts, this will be heaven! Cooking demos, “fire-off” (cook-off) contests, free samples, and of course, plenty of fresh milk to cool down with (thanks to local Oberweis Dairy), are just some of the things that this festival is sure to bring!

•    Highwood Pumpkin Fest - October 18th-20th- The record-breaking festival is back! Last year, Highwood beat the Guinness World Record for most jack-o-lanterns carved and lit – with 30,919 pumpkins! After 2011's turnout and the amazing community participation, Highwood thought why not try to beat our own record again this year? The festival will include the Gourmet Farmers Market, vendors galore, live music on multiple stages, hay rides, pumpkin carving stations, massive pumpkin displays and lighting of the towers, raffles, additional prizes and much more! On weekdays, this festival will go from 4-9pm, and Saturday from 9am-9pm. 

Other notable 2012 Highwood special event dates to save are:
•    Buffo’s Cruz’n Nites at Buffo’s on Sheridan Road – Saturdays in the Summer from 6-9pm on: May 5, May 19, June 2, June 16, June 30, July 14, August 4, August 18, September 1, September 15, September 29. For more information on participating, please call 847-432-0301 ext.12, or visit www.buffos.com. 
•    Highwood for the Holidays – December 2

About The City of Highwood 

Highwood was founded in 1868 by William Wallace Everts, a Chicago civic leader and famous educator. His concept of a family-based community has endured for more than a century. The beautiful Everts Park, in the heart of downtown Highwood, has been named in the founder's honor. Benches and trees in the park celebrate and remember people who, through turbulent times and peaceful ones, built and sustained the community. Many of Highwood's street names recall Everts' family and friends whom the founder encouraged to build homes here. Residents of Swedish, Irish, Italian, Latino and other heritages have since populated the community, each enriching the community through their cultural traditions.

The Village of Highwood was incorporated in 1887. The name briefly became Village of Fort Sheridan and then City of Fort Sheridan. In 1904, the community officially became known as the City of Highwood. Fort Sheridan, a former army base northeast of the City, has had a profound influence on Highwood's development, and it continues to do so today as part of its land, incorporated into the City, nearly doubled Highwood in size. Today, Highwood is blending the past and present with exciting new plans for its future.

The City of Highwood, Illinois administrative offices are located at 17 Highwood Avenue
Highwood, Illinois 60040.  For more information, please visit http://www.celebratehighwood.com
or http://www.cityofhighwood.com or call 847.432.1924.