In a town known for its festivals, Highwood Days, now in its 58th year, has the longest-standing festival tradition in Highwood’s history.
Celebrate Highwood president Jessica Ortega said this year, they wanted to offer something different.
“We wanted to get back to our roots by offering a new Taste of Highwood at Highwood Days – inviting people to come out for the carnival and enjoy tastings or a meal at one of our downtown restaurants,” Ortega said.
“What better way to experience the multitude of flavors of our diverse and vibrant community than with a showcase of our restaurants,” Ortega added.
Highwood Days with the new Taste of Highwood kicked off on Thursday, July 17 through Sunday, July 20, with the Highwood Days Carnival taking place in the Downtown Highwood Metra Station Parking lot, and Taste of Highwood joining in July 18-20, and the Highwood 5K Family Run, Walk and Stroll taking place Saturday morning, July 19, according to a press release.
“With over 40 restaurants and food operators in Highwood, many immigrant and family-owned, and all owner-run and operated — this makes a huge difference in quality, and makes this diverse offering unique on the Northshore,” Ortega said.
Taste of Highwood highlights included Billy Bricks, Cluckers, Da Local Boy, Doña Paty’s, Funky Boba, La Casa de Issac, La Plancha Loca, La Union, and more.
The four-day festival was complete with flavorful food, live music, carnival rides and games, and a 5K Family Fun Run, Walk & Stroll, benefiting Josselyn, providing community-based health care, awareness, outreach, and community programming.
Ortega says the event supports Highwood’s reputation as a destination for dining and entertainment and a unique cultural community on the North Shore.
Ortega, also the owner of Highwood’s — Giggles Play, a Reggio-inspired indoor play space for kids 0 to 6, says there is nothing better than watching families come out to enjoy their time together.
Jorge Blancas, Jr. of La Plancha Loca at 548 Sheridan Road, says he never imagined that he and his family would be part of Highwood’s restaurant community.
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“It has been an inclusive and welcoming place to open La Plancha Loca, and more recently, La Plancha Loca Cantina next door. Our connection to the community has grown, and the other small business owners understand and relate to each other,” Blancas said.
“Carrying on the successful tradition of Celebrate Highwood, Taste of Highwood celebrates the eclectic taste of the culinary diversity of the town in 2025, offering delicacies from over a dozen Highwood restaurants, caterers, and food trucks,” Ortega said.
Gina Grillo is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.