Calling all Taco Enthusiasts to Highwood Days & Taco Fest

Celebrate Highwood is thrilled to announce Highwood Days and Taco Fest are back!  Kicking off Thursday, July 18 through Sunday, July 21, the Highwood Days Carnival will take place in the Downtown Highwood Metra Station Parking Lot July 18-21, while Taco Fest will be located across Green Bay in Everts Park, 111 North Avenue July 19-21, and North Shore Taco 5K on Saturday, July 20.

“The combination of Highwood Days and Taco Fest offers something for everyone to come out and enjoy all weekend long with a variety of options from great food and drinks, live music and a carnival,” says Eric Falberg, President of Celebrate Highwood and Highwood Alderman. “Taco Fest celebrates the eclectic taste of tacos and the culinary diversity of Highwood.”

Taco Fest will offer delicacies from over 20 taco-centric restaurants, caterers and food trucks along with a booze tent featuring Hive2 O, margaritas, palomas and mules, Mexican beer and more!

Taco Fest vendors will be sharing their unique take on the ever-popular taco while competing for the ‘People’s Choice Award’ in the categories of Best Authentic and Best Unique Tacos. Attendees can choose from a variety of tacos from traditional carne asada to the more unique braised short rib and brussel sprout taco or healthy mahi mahi taco, and cast their vote at the Highland Park Bank & Trust/Highwood-Fort Sheridan Bank ballot booth. The winner in each category will receive a trophy and bragging rights. The winners will be announced at the stage on Sunday, July 21 at 6 PM.

Combined with the 57th Annual Highwood Days, the City’s most celebrated festival in its history, the 4-day festival will be complete with carnival rides and games! Come on out, eat tacos, enjoy a cocktail, listen to some great music and don’t forget to cast your vote!

For updates on live music schedule at the bandshell in Everts Park visit https://www.celebratehighwood.org/taco-fest-and-highwood-days/

Highwood Days and Taco Fest will take place rain or shine.  Taco Fest hours are Friday 5-11 PM, Saturday noon–11 PM and Sunday noon–9 PM. The 56^th Annual Highwood Days Carnival hours are Thursday 5-10 PM, Friday 5-10 PM, Saturday 1-10 PM and Sunday 1-9 PM.  For information on all-you-can-ride wristbands times and costs visit https://www.celebratehighwood.org/taco-fest-and-highwood-days/.

In addition to the wide selection of flavorful food, live music and carnival, Celebrate Highwood is hosting Highwood’s only timed run/walk of the year.  The North Shore Taco 5K Family Fun Run, Walk & Stroll on Saturday, July 20 at 9 AM, benefiting Nuestro Josselyn.  Runners and walkers can sign up HERE or at http://www.CelebrateHighwood.org now through midnight on Friday July 19. The registration fee is $40 per participant (stroller kids are free) and includes run t-shirt (must be registered by July 12 to guarantee t-shirt size) , complimentary taco from award winning La Plancha Loca, and for participants 21 and older, a choice of Hive2o Hard Honey Seltzers, Waterloo Sparking Water mixed drinks, beer or other cocktail to enjoy at Taco Fest, located at Everts Park or Highwood Days, located at the Highwood Metra Station parking lot through Sunday July 21.

Pre-race packet pick up will take place on Wednesday, July 17 from 5-8 PM at the Celebrate Highwood tent during Margarita Night at the Highwood Evening Gourmet Market, Everts Park, Thursday, July 18 from 11 AM–1 PM at Gearhead Outfitters, 621 Central Avenue, downtown Highland Park, or race day on-site registration and packet pick-up will be in the Buffo’s Parking Lot at 416 Sheridan Road in Highwood beginning at 8 AM.

A special thanks to our Highwood Days and Taco Fest sponsors: American Place Casino , Highland Park Bank & Trust/Highwood-Fort Sheridan Bank, Hive2o, Porsche Exchange and Michael D'Angelo State Farm Insurance Agent and to our North Shore Taco 5K Family Fun Run, Walk & Stroll sponsors: Gearhead Outfitters, Hive2 o and La Plancha Loca.

For more information on all of Celebrate Highwood’s 2024 series of family friendly festivals and events, please visit http://www.celebratehighwood.org or http://www.facebook.com/celebratehighwood.