The city of Highland Park, Illinois, a Chicago north shore suburb, hosted its first July Fourth parade since a mass shooting killed seven and injured dozens of people at the event in 2022.
“The City decided to resume the Highland Park tradition of an Independence Day parade,” the city wrote on its website, “based upon community feedback, ongoing conversations with victims’ families and individuals who were injured, recommendations from mental health clinicians serving people impacted by the shooting in Highland Park, and the expertise of the Department of Justice Office of Victims of Crime.
“The City understands from mental health clinicians and experts in the aftermath of violence incidents that reclaiming traditions and restoring a sense of familiarity is a benefit to the community’s long-term resiliency, particularly as it pertains to holidays.”
A remembrance ceremony was conducted in both English and Spanish before the parade, The Chicago Tribune reported.
“July Fourth is always going to be a day of mixed emotion,” the paper quoted Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering as saying. “Having that opportunity to come together as a community to celebrate this great nation, we’re looking forward to that. But first, we need to remember what this community has been through and remember those lives that we lost.”
The parade featured an exceptional performance by the Great Lakes Navy Band. These talented musicians and active servicemembers performed patriotic music as part of the band’s second appearance in Highland Park since 2011.
