Highland Park to host day of remembrance, second parade since mass shooting
Friday marks three years since the deadly shooting during the Highland Park Fourth of July Parade that left seven people dead and dozens of others wounded.
The city will host a day of remembrance honoring the victims as the residents continue to move forward since the tragedy.
The event starts at 9 a.m. at The Moraine at 1202 Park Ave. W.
The program will include a candlelighting ceremony and music. Attendees will also be able to contribute to the creation of a mosaic in tribute to the victims.
Plans also include a parade that will kick off at 11 a.m.
Those interested in attending the event
In February, Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering announced that the parade would return for the second year following the shooting. She said the goal was to "bring back the celebration of the holiday."
"It's important as we continue on our journey together to try to heal, move forward, that we continue to bring these special times for our community to come together," she said.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin in a statement said:
"Today, we remember Katherine Goldstein, Irina and Kevin McCarthy, Stephen Straus, Jacquelyn Sundheim, Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, and Eduardo Uvaldo, who we lost in an unspeakable act of violence three years ago. I join the Highland Park community in continuing to grieve the loss of these seven lives. As we remember this tragedy, I'm reminded of the bravery of those who responded to this crisis, as well as the heavy emotional toll this senseless act of violence inflicted on the Highland Park community. In honor of the lives impacted by the Highland Park shooting, I will continue to push the Senate to pass common sense gun safety reform."
A memorial in the Rose Garden across from Highland Park City Hall remains open to the public.
