In solidarity with Highland Park neighbors, the Buffalo Grove Days festival committee has canceled the parade that is usually part of the activities lineup but will feature new family events and other offerings over its five-day run, organizers said.
“A parade just didn’t feel right following the tragedy in Highland Park,” Mike Skibbe, village staff liaison to the Buffalo Grove Days Committee, said in a news release announcing the move.
At the Fourth of July parade in Highland Park on July 4, a gunman opened fire on the crowd, killing seven people and wounding dozens more.
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“There was a lot to consider in planning this year’s event including our various stakeholders — volunteers, parade units and residents along the parade route,” Skibbe said in the release. “Ultimately, we have found a way to keep the community spirit alive while standing in solidarity with our neighbors.”
Buffalo Grove Days is scheduled to be held over Labor Day weekend – Sept. 1 to Sept. 5 – at Mike Rylko Community Park, featuring live music, food trucks, a business fair, arts and crafts, and a carnival.
Additionally, a community blood drive, sponsored by Vitalant, is scheduled for Sept. 3 at the Alcott Center, located at 530 Bernard Drive. A family fun walk is slated tof Sept. 4, concluding at the festival grounds where the Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove is set to host a pancake breakfast, according to organizers.
Area residents will have the opportunity to support victims of the Highland Park tragedy by making donations to the Highland Park Community Foundation’s July 4 fund.
Live entertainment is scheduled to include the music of Oh Yes! and Hi Infidelity, also Six, the Spazmatics and more.
Food will be available from a lineup of food trucks and a food tent. The Park District will be managing beverages at the event, selling beer, wine, hard seltzers and non-alcoholic drinks, organizers explained.
An estimated 20 vendors are expected to participate in the business fair, according to the Buffalo Grove Days Committee meeting minutes. Other events scheduled for the festival include a kids craft tent with face painting, magic shows, live performances and more.
This year’s event is also expected to feature a Rotary Bingo on Thursday, a barbeque challenge with 10 grillers with 32 plates and Buddy Baseball on Saturday, as well as the popular Rotary duck race Sunday. A car show is also planned for Monday.
Elizabeth Owens-Schiele is a freelancer.