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Council weighs Independence Day plans: keep remembrance, bring back fireworks, and keep parade on July 4
Summary
At a committee-of-the-whole session, Highland Park staff and council reviewed options for the 2026 Independence Day program, agreeing to continue remembrance activities near the temporary memorial, pursue fireworks with the Park District on July 3, and hold a July 4 parade with a revised timeline and route.
Highland Park city staff and council members spent an extended Sept. 25 committee-of-the-whole meeting reviewing the city's Independence Day programming and seeking policy direction on remembrance events, fireworks or drone shows, and the community parade.
City Manager Eden Newkirk and Assistant to the City Manager Aaron Jason presented seven policy items and said staff wanted council feedback to guide planning for 2026. Newkirk recommended continuing scaled remembrance ceremonies until the permanent place of remembrance is complete and suggested keeping next year's remembrance at the Moraine with preregistration and an indoor, smaller-scale program.
Emma from the resiliency team said staff had reached out to many victims' families: "The largest group by far is avoiding the events," she said, adding that other small groups wanted a return of larger memorial events or a day of community service.
Council…
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